FAA Investigates Close Call Between Passenger Plane and Military Helicopter in California

United Airlines flight came within 525 feet of a Black Hawk helicopter near John Wayne Airport

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a close call between a United Airlines passenger flight and a military helicopter near John Wayne Airport in Southern California earlier this week. The United flight, carrying 162 passengers and 6 crew members, came within just a few hundred feet of the military Black Hawk helicopter as it was returning from a training mission, triggering a collision avoidance alarm that directed the airline pilots to change course.

Why it matters

This incident comes just over a year after a deadly crash between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people, leading the FAA to change policies to require air traffic controllers to actively use radar to direct helicopters and planes around airports.

The details

The close call happened around 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday when the military helicopter crossed into the path of the descending United Airlines flight. The pilots of the passenger plane stopped their descent and leveled off to avoid a collision. Data shows the United plane came within 525 feet vertically and 1,422 feet laterally of the helicopter at their closest point.

  • The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.
  • The FAA changed its policies in early 2025 following a deadly crash between an American Airlines jet and Army helicopter near Washington, D.C.

The players

United Airlines

The commercial airline whose flight was involved in the close call with the military helicopter.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that oversees and regulates civil aviation, which is investigating the incident.

California National Guard

The military unit that the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the incident was affiliated with.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“During final approach to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, pilots on United flight 589 were advised by air traffic control to watch for a military helicopter flying near the airport. They saw the helicopter, and also received a traffic alert, which they responded to by leveling the aircraft.”

— United Airlines

“We're going to be addressing that, because that was not good.”

— Air Traffic Controller

What’s next

The FAA said it will investigate whether its new policy requiring air traffic controllers to actively use radar to direct helicopters and planes around airports was properly applied in this incident.

The takeaway

This close call highlights the ongoing challenges of safely managing air traffic around airports, especially with the presence of military aircraft conducting training missions. The FAA's policy changes after a deadly 2025 crash aim to prevent such near misses, but this incident shows more work may be needed to fully implement these new safety protocols.