United Airlines Flight Reports Possible Drone Strike During Landing Approach

Severity: Low (Score: 36.9)

Sources: Independent, Latimes, Cbsnews, Ktvu, Nbcsandiego

Summary

On April 29, 2026, United Airlines Flight 1980, a Boeing 737 from San Francisco, reported a potential drone strike while approaching San Diego International Airport. The pilot indicated that the aircraft, carrying 48 passengers and six crew members, may have collided with a small, shiny red drone at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and stated that it is under investigation. Air traffic control did not receive any additional reports of drone sightings in the area. Fortunately, the flight landed safely, and maintenance crews found no damage to the aircraft after inspection. Drone operations near airports are heavily regulated, with strict altitude limits and prohibitions against flying in restricted airspace. The FAA is reminding drone operators of these regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Key Points: • United Flight 1980 reported a possible drone strike at 3,000 feet during landing. • The FAA is investigating the incident, with no additional drone sightings reported. • The flight landed safely with no damage found on the aircraft.

Key Entities

• United Airlines (company)
• United States (country)
• atc.com (domain)