![]()
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the loss of separation events that occurred on July 18, 2025 near the Minot International Airport (MOT) runway 31.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H (WBD03) was enroute to conduct an aerial flyby at the North Dakota Fairgrounds when it nearly collided with SkyWest Airlines flight 3788 (SKW3788), an Embraer E-170-200, near the Minot International Airport (MOT). Shortly after, a Piper Warrior PA-28-151 (N41349) nearly collided with the B-52H.The MOT traffic control tower was providing air traffic services to all flights when the loss of separation occurred. The Air Traffic Manager stated that traffic was normal with average complexity for the time of day. Only one controller was staffing the tower at the time of the incident and was operating on visual flight rules only, as it does not have radar. The Dakota RAPCON Minot radar sector controller (MIB sector controller) was providing services to the B-52H and the Embraer prior to MOT.RELATED STORIES:
2 pilots killed after Enstrom helicopters collide midair in New Jersey
U.S. Govt. admits fault in deadly airliner, army helicopter midair collision over Potomac River
'We almost had a midair collision:' JetBlue pilot describes close call with Air Force refueler
The report states that the controller told the SkyWest aircraft to make a right 360-degree turn to avoid hitting the B-52H, but the pilot responded that they had traffic to the right and were unsure if they wanted to do that. The controller offered a left 360-degree turn before it broke off its approach to the airport. It took multiple attempts for MOT and MIB to coordinate the altitude needed for the B-52H and the Embraer to avoid each other. The Piper aircraft was provided with instructions to enter a right base for runway 31, before it was instructed to go downwind away from the runway and the military aircraft. None of the aircraft touched and both the jet and the single-engine aircraft were eventually able to land safely at MOT while the B-52H returned to the Minot Air Force Base.
The Minot Air Force base stated that the Stratofortress was not informed of either aircraft's presence and that it acted in full compliance with procedures, flight plans and ATC instructions. The NTSB has not stated who was at fault and is still currently analyzing ADS-B data, plot playback data, audio recordings and other data from the FAA and the U.S. Air Force.