Regulations & Safety
Sand Truck Collides with United Express Jet at Minot Airport in Icy Conditions
On December 9, 2025, a sand truck collided with a United Express SkyWest jet at Minot Airport amid severe winter weather, causing minor damage and no injuries.
This article summarizes reporting by KFYR-TV.
A ground maintenance vehicle collided with a commercial passenger aircraft at Minot International Airports (MOT) on December 9, 2025, as severe winter weather gripped the region. According to reporting by KFYR-TV, a sand truck struck a United Express regional jet while attempting to treat the icy tarmac.
The incident occurred while the airport was conducting ground operations to mitigate the effects of freezing rain and ice accumulation. Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries to passengers, flight crew, or ground personnel involved in the collision. The aircraft sustained minor damage, and the event highlights the operational challenges airports face during extreme winter conditions.
The collision involved a sand truck from the airport’s maintenance fleet and an Embraer ERJ-175LR, a regional jet operated by SkyWest Airlines under the United Express brand. Data from the Aviation Safety Network identifies the specific aircraft involved as registration N135SY.
According to local reports, the sand truck was actively spreading a sand and salt mixture to improve traction on the airfield when it made contact with the parked or taxiing aircraft. The collision resulted in minor structural damage to the jet, though the specific extent of repairs required has not yet been publicly detailed by the airline.
“No injuries were reported in the incident.”
, Summary of reporting by KFYR-TV
SkyWest Airlines, which operates the United Express flight, typically connects Minot to major hubs such as Denver and Minneapolis. Following the incident, the aircraft was removed from service for inspection. The safety of ground operations is a primary concern during winter weather events, where visibility and surface traction are significantly reduced.
The collision took place against the backdrop of a significant winter storm affecting North Dakota. On the day of the incident, the City of Minot had issued a “No Travel Advisory” due to hazardous conditions caused by freezing rain and rapid ice accumulation. City alerts indicated that road crews and airport maintenance teams were deployed extensively to combat “extremely dangerous” ice. The airport’s decision to deploy sand trucks was a standard safety measure intended to keep runways and taxiways operational, though the slick surfaces likely contributed to the maintenance vehicle’s inability to avoid the aircraft.
We note that the quick confirmation of “no injuries” suggests the collision occurred at low speed, typical of ground support equipment accidents. The focus now shifts to the repair timeline for N135SY and the restoration of normal schedules as the weather system clears.
Sources: KFYR-TV, Aviation Safety Network, City of Minot Alert Center.
Sand Truck Collides with United Express Jet at Minot Airport Amid Icy Conditions
Incident Details
Operational Context
Severe Weather Conditions
Summary of Facts
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