Title: SkyWest Flight's Close Encounter with B-52 Bomber Raises Concerns Over Air Traffic Safety
In an alarming incident that took place on Friday before landing in North Dakota, a SkyWest flight had to perform a go-around maneuver after nearly colliding with a second aircraft. The air traffic control tower had cleared the plane for approach, but the pilot decided to execute a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. According to SkyWest's statement, the identified second plane was a B-52 bomber.
This near miss has raised concerns over air traffic safety and prompted investigations by both SkyWest and the U.S Air Force. The latter is "looking into" reports of a military aircraft operating in the same airspace as a commercial airplane during the incident. A B-52 assigned to Minot Air Force Base had conducted a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair earlier that day, which may have contributed to the confusion.
Delta Flight 3788, operated by SkyWest, landed safely in Minot after flying from Minneapolis. However, this close encounter comes just six months after another alarming incident where a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the deaths of 67 people.
In an effort to explain what happened during the go-around maneuver, the pilot shared a video on social media apologizing for his "aggressive maneuver." He explained that he was initially instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to turn right but saw a B-52 bomber instead. Upon being told to turn left, he looked over and noticed another aircraft moving faster towards them. Consequently, the pilot decided to execute an evasive maneuver behind it.
The pilot expressed surprise at not receiving any prior warning from ATC about the presence of a second aircraft in their flight path. He concluded his video by stating that such incidents are "not normal" and questioning why they didn't receive adequate information beforehand.
This near miss highlights the importance of effective communication between pilots, air traffic controllers, and military personnel to ensure safe operations within shared airspace. It also underscores the need for improved coordination among various agencies responsible for managing air traffic safety. As we continue to navigate through these challenging times in aviation history, it is crucial that lessons learned from incidents like this are implemented to prevent future mishaps and maintain public confidence in air travel.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/skywest-flight-performed-go-avoid-colliding-second-aircraft-rcna219887) #skywest
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