Photo: MARIT HOMMEDAL / AFP / Getty Images
A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to San Diego reported a close call with a possible drone as it was preparing to land at San Diego International Airport on Wednesday morning (April 29), according to authorities. The incident occurred as United Flight 1980 was flying at about 3,000 feet, just before arrival.
The pilot of the Boeing 737 described seeing a “red” and “shiny” object, which he believed might have been a drone, during the aircraft's base leg approach to the runway. In cockpit audio reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, the pilot told air traffic control that the object was “so small I couldn’t tell” its type and asked if there were reports of drones in the area. Air traffic control responded that they were unaware of any nearby drones at the time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that while the crew saw a possible drone 1,000 feet below their plane, no other pilots reported similar sightings in the area.
After safely landing at approximately 8:45 a.m., the aircraft, which carried 48 passengers and six crew members, was thoroughly inspected by United’s maintenance team, who found no damage. The airline confirmed normal deplaning at the gate and no reported injuries among passengers or crew. The plane later departed for Houston without incident.
The FAA and the FBI San Diego Field Office have both announced investigations into the incident. The FBI noted it is working closely with law enforcement partners and will pursue any violations of federal law, though there are currently no public safety concerns. Under current FAA regulations, drone operators are prohibited from flying above 400 feet without specific authorization and must avoid restricted airspace, including airport zones. Violators can face fines, citations, or court proceedings, according to the Port of San Diego Harbor Police.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the FBI San Diego office or submit an anonymous tip online. While the object’s identity has not been confirmed, both federal and local agencies continue to monitor the situation and airport operations remain normal.