Airspace Scare: Near Miss at Minot Airport Highlights Safety Concerns

A close encounter between a B-52 bomber and a commercial airliner over Minot International Airport has sparked renewed attention on aviation safety standards. The incident, which occurred as the bomber conducted a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair, saw the SkyWest pilot make an abrupt maneuver to avoid a collision.

In a surprising revelation, it was found that the airport tower staff, run by a private company rather than federal employees, did not alert the pilot to the presence of the inbound bomber. This oversight has raised further questions about how military and civilian air traffic controllers manage shared airspace, especially at times of increased aerial activity.

The Federal Aviation Administration, along with the Air Force and SkyWest Airlines, is investigating the incident. As part of a federal program, Minot's air traffic control is part of a system where some smaller airports operate without radars, relying instead on a regional approach control radar facility for guidance.

(With inputs from agencies.)