B-52 Bomber Nearly Hits Two Planes Over North Dakota

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber flying over North Dakota on July 19 nearly collided with two aircraft near Minot airport: a Delta passenger jet carrying 80 people and a small private Piper airplane. The incident occurred after the bomber's flyover at the North Dakota State Fair, prompting the Delta pilot to make an abrupt maneuver to avoid the bomber, which was captured on video. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report revealed that the Minot airport control tower issued several confusing commands during the event, and air traffic controllers did not warn the B-52 crew about the nearby airliner. The close calls have raised concerns about aviation safety, especially following a fatal midair collision over Washington, D.C., earlier in the year. No injuries were reported, and the B-52 returned safely to Minot Air Force Base while the other planes landed or continued their flights. The NTSB investigation, involving the FAA and the U.S. Air Force, is ongoing, with a final report expected next year.