United Flight Reports Drone Strike on San Diego Approach

April 30, 2026 —

A United Airlines Boeing 737, Flight 1980, reported a possible drone strike on Wednesday during its approach to San Diego International Airport (SAN). The aircraft, carrying 48 passengers and six crew members, landed safely, and a subsequent inspection by maintenance teams found no damage.

The incident occurred as the flight, originating from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), was preparing to land at SAN. Air traffic control recordings, shared via TheNewArea51 on Twitter, captured a flight crew member reporting hitting a drone at approximately 3,000 feet.

Incident Details Emerge

United Airlines confirmed the event, stating, "United Flight 1980 reported a possible drone strike just prior to arriving in San Diego. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate. Our maintenance team found no damage after thoroughly inspecting the aircraft."

Details regarding the drone itself remain sparse. When questioned by air traffic control, the flight crew indicated limited visibility, describing the object as "so small, I couldn't tell." They added, "It was red. It was shiny. I couldn't tell with it."

FAA Statement and Regulations

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor issued a statement regarding the occurrence. Gregor noted, "While approaching San Diego International Airport at about 4,000 feet altitude, the crew of United Airlines Flight 1980 told air traffic control they believed they saw a drone 1,000 feet below them. Air traffic control alerted other pilots but did not receive any additional drone-sighting reports." He advised contacting United for details on the post-flight inspection.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations strictly prohibit drone operations above 400 feet without authorization. Furthermore, drones are not permitted in restricted airspace, which includes areas around airports, under any circumstances. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding unauthorized drone activity near commercial flight paths.

Safety Protocol and Inspection

Following the reported strike, ground crews conducted a thorough inspection of the Boeing 737. Despite the crew's report, no physical damage to the aircraft was detected. All 54 individuals on board deplaned without incident.

Investigations into such incidents are standard protocol to assess potential risks and ensure aviation safety. The absence of damage in this case is a positive outcome, though the presence of drones in controlled airspace continues to pose a significant concern for airlines and regulatory bodies.