United Flight Reports Possible Drone Strike on San Diego Approach

The crew of United Airlines flight #UA1980, operating a Boeing 737-800 from San Francisco to San Diego, reported a possible drone contact during approach.

The aircraft landed safely, and the airline confirmed that passengers disembarked normally. A post-flight inspection found no visible damage. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident.

According to air traffic control recordings, the pilot reported encountering a “small,” “red,” and “bright” object at approximately 3,000 feet. The event occurred during the base leg of the approach, and controllers alerted other traffic in the area.

It remains unconfirmed whether an actual drone strike occurred, with the incident currently classified as a “possible drone strike.”