Overview

• The preliminary report confirms two loss-of-separation events on July 19 near Minot after an FAA‑approved state fair flyover as the B-52 returned to not AiAir Force Base.
• The bomber came within about 1.25 miles of SkyWest/Delta Flight 3788 at 7:48 p.m., then roughly one-third of a mile from a Piper PA-28 less than a minute later.
• All aircraft landed safely, and the NTSB has not identified a cause, with a final report expected next year.
• The Minot contract tower had one controller on duty without local radar, with a regional radar controller in Rapid City assisting, and transcripts show misdirected and canceled instructions.
• The Air Force said the tower did not advise the B-52 crew about the inbound commercial flight, and investigators noted clear weather with 10 miles of visibility.