US EditionUnited Flight From San Francisco to San Diego Reports Drone Close Call Near Arrival
United said the flight landed safely with 48 passengers and 6 crew aboard, and maintenance found no damage after the reported drone encounter.
- On Wednesday, United Flight 1980, a Boeing 737 carrying 54 people, reported a possible drone strike while approaching San Diego International Airport at approximately 3,000 feet and landed safely.
- Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit operating drones above 400 feet or within restricted airport airspace; the incident occurred well above this mandated limit.
- The pilot described the object as "small," "red," and "shiny" during approach, and United Airlines officials confirmed their maintenance team "found no damage after thoroughly inspecting the aircraft."
- FAA spokesman Chris Mullooly confirmed the agency is investigating the reported incident, which resulted in no injuries during the aircraft's safe landing.
- While confirmed midair collisions between planes and drones remain rare, reports of close encounters have increased in recent years, driving ongoing safety concerns around unauthorized drone activity near airports.
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United Airlines Pilot Reports Possible Drone Strike While Cruising 3,000 Feet Over San Diego
The aircraft, which was carrying 48 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident, landed safelyA stock photo of a United Airlines Boeing 737 approaching San Diego International AirportCredit: Kevin Carter/GettyNEED TO KNOWA United Airlines pilot reported that he'd possibly hit a drone shortly before landing at San Diego International Airport on Wednesday, April 29The aircraft, which was carrying 48 passengers and six crew members …
No one other than the pilot noticed the object, and the plane was not damaged.
A U.S. airliner stated that his plane might have hit a drone in full flight before landing at San Diego Airport, California, without the incident causing any injuries.
United airline's pilot reports drone strike, triggers FAA investigation near San Diego
Federal aviation officials are investigating a United Airlines flight's report of a possible drone strike. The Boeing 737 was nearing San Diego International Airport when the pilot reported hitting a drone. The aircraft landed safely with no visible damage. This incident highlights growing concerns about drones in controlled airspace near airports.
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