Air Force clarifies FAA-approved path amid near-miss with Delta plane

At 19:10, the B-52 crew contacted RAPCON to prepare for the flyover. They completed necessary checklists and communicated their plan with RAPCON and ATC while proceeding to their holding point east of the fairgrounds. At 19:40, they informed RAPCON and ATC of their departure from this point before crossing over at 19:50.

A US Air Force spokesperson stated that "the B-52 crew contacted Minot International Airport tower," which only instructed them to continue westbound after the flyover without mentioning any incoming commercial aircraft.

Similarly, Delta Flight 3788's pilot reported not being informed by ATC about the B-52's activities. Operating as Delta Connection on its Minneapolis-Minot route with SkyWest Airlines' Embraer E175 aircraft, it descended through 3000 feet just minutes before landing when spotting the approaching bomber.

The Delta pilot expressed concern over both aircraft potentially being on a collision course due to differing speeds. He said he "felt it was safest" to turn behind it by banking sharply while descending rapidly below and behind the bomber.

Despite this close call during approach into Minot International Airport – which resulted in an apology video going viral online – no harm came upon passengers aboard either plane; they landed safely approximately fifteen minutes later than planned.

Another recent near-miss incident involving Delta occurred days later in Mexico City with Aeromexico's inbound Embraer E190 narrowly avoiding collision during takeoff roll for Atlanta-bound Flight 590; investigations are ongoing into these events alongside cooperation between relevant authorities involved therein.