FAA Investigating Close Call Between United Plane and Black Hawk Helicopter

Incident occurred as United Airlines flight was landing at John Wayne Airport in California

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a close call between a United Airlines passenger jet and a California National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. The incident occurred as the United flight was on final approach, triggering a collision avoidance alarm in the cockpit. The pilots stopped descending and leveled off until the helicopter had passed before landing safely.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about airspace coordination and safety procedures involving military and civilian aircraft, especially near busy airports. It comes just over a year after a deadly collision between a US Army Black Hawk and an American Airlines regional jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which prompted new FAA rules requiring closer radar tracking of helicopters in these areas.

The details

According to flight tracking data, the United Airlines Boeing 737 and the California National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk were 525 feet apart vertically and 1,422 feet laterally at their closest point. Air traffic control had advised the United pilots to 'watch out for a military helicopter flying near the airport' during their final approach. After the collision avoidance alarm sounded, the pilots stopped descending and leveled off until the helicopter had passed.

  • On Tuesday evening, March 26, 2026
  • In January 2025, a US Army Black Hawk and American Airlines regional jet collided at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people

The players

United Airlines Flight 589

A passenger jet flying from San Francisco to land at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California.

California National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk

A military helicopter flying under the callsign 'Knife 25' that crossed in front of the United Airlines flight during its final approach.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

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What’s next

The FAA has stated it will conduct a thorough review of the incident in coordination with other agencies.

The takeaway

This close call highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the shared airspace between military and civilian aircraft, especially around busy airports. It underscores the need for robust coordination, communication, and safety procedures to prevent such potentially disastrous incidents from occurring.