The U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration released statements on Monday in response to reports that a near-miss incident occurred Friday evening involving a passenger plane and a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber as the passenger plane approached to land at the Minot International Airport.

The pilot of a Delta Connection regional jet told passengers after the incident on Friday that he had to perform an aggressive maneuver to avoid collision with the military aircraft that was in the path they were directed to use.

The Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs Office issued an extended statement about the incident Monday evening.

The statement said:

“On Friday, July 18, at approximately 7:50 p.m., a B-52 bomber from Minot AFB conducted a flyover at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. This flyover was a special event recognizing the city of Minot as a ‘Great American Defense Community,’ an honor that highlights the city’s strong support for the military.

“The flyover was planned in advance and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. This included the FAA’s local Flight Standards District Office, Minot International Airport air traffic control personnel and Minot Approach Control (RAPCON-Air Force Radar Approach Control).

“At approximately 7:10 p.m. prior to the flyover, the B-52 crew contacted Minot Approach (RAPCON) to prepare for the flyover. Required checklists were completed, and the crew remained in contact with Minot Approach as it flew to its holding point 12 miles east of the fairgrounds. While holding, the B-52 crew communicated the flyover plan to both RAPCON and Minot International Airport’s air traffic control tower.

“At 7:40 p.m., the B-52 crew advised Minot Approach they were departing the holding point for the fairgrounds.

“Minot Approach directed the B-52 crew at 7:43 p.m. to contact Minot International Airport’s air traffic control. The B-52 crew contacted Minot International Airport tower and the tower provided instructions to continue 2 miles westbound after the flyover. The tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft.

“The B-52 crossed the fairgrounds show center at 7:50 p.m. and proceeded west as directed to clear Minot International Tower’s airspace before returning to Minot AFB.”

On Monday morning, the Air Force had released a limited statement in regard to the incident saying the Air Force was looking into the matter and confirmed that a B-52 aircraft assigned to Minot AFB conducted a flyover of the North Dakota State Fair on Friday evening.

The FAA said in a release that it is “investigating the event involving SkyWest Airlines Flight 3788 at Minot International Airport on Friday, July 18.”

An updated release said air traffic services were provided by the Minot air traffic control tower, which is run by a private company, and these controllers are not FAA employees.