A United Airlines pilot reported a possible encounter with a drone at approximately 3,000 to 4,000 feet while approaching San Diego International Airport on Wednesday morning, prompting a federal investigation into the incident.
United Flight 1980 departed San Francisco International Airport at 6:53 a.m. and flew roughly 90 minutes before landing safely at San Diego International at 8:28 a.m. The Boeing 737 was carrying 48 passengers and six crew members. According to recordings of the pilot’s communication with air traffic control, the pilot first reported seeing a “red small object” about 1,000 feet below the aircraft.
After landing, the pilot told ground control that the plane may have hit the drone during the base leg of the approach, when aircraft typically fly perpendicular to the runway. “Okay over to spot 1 and contact ramp. And we hit a drone probably at around 3,000 feet. About uh.. Yeah around on our base leg between KEEDG and SAIEE,” the pilot said. “Red drone heading west.”
When asked for more details by the air traffic controller, the pilot responded, “It was so small I couldn’t tell. It was red … it was shiny.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the sighting occurred at approximately 4,000 feet, which significantly exceeds the legal maximum altitude of 400 feet for drone operations without special FAA authorization. Air traffic control alerted other pilots in the area but received no additional drone-sighting reports.
United Airlines maintenance teams conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft after landing and found no damage. The airline stated in a release that “customers deplaned normally at the gate,” and the aircraft departed San Diego at 10:16 a.m., continuing to Houston that afternoon.
The FBI San Diego Field Office issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying it is aware of the reports and is working closely with law enforcement partners to evaluate the situation. “While our policy is to neither confirm nor deny investigations, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to evaluate the situation,” the FBI said, adding there are no safety concerns for the public.
The Port of San Diego Harbor Police explained that operating a drone in controlled or restricted airspace can result in enforcement action. “If an operator is identified, they may be subject to a misdemeanor citation. Depending on the circumstances, additional consequences could include fines and, in more serious cases, potential court proceedings,” said Community Policing Sergeant Jose Torres.
Federal regulations prohibit drone pilots from operating above 400 feet altitude or in restricted airspace around airports without authorization. The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the FBI San Diego Field Office at (858) 320-1800 or submit an anonymous tip at tips.fbi.gov.
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