A United Airlines Boeing 737, identified as Flight 1980 from San Francisco, was reportedly struck by a drone during its approach to land at San Diego International Airport.
The incident occurred at approximately 3,000 feet shortly before the aircraft landed around 8:30 a.m. local time. The flight departed San Francisco International Airport at about 7:14 a.m. and completed its landing without injuries or immediate damage to the aircraft.
United Airlines confirmed that its maintenance team found no damage after thorough inspection, noting passengers deplaned normally at the gate.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the event, with officials indicating the drone likely passed beneath the plane but operated well above the 400-foot maximum altitude permitted for recreational drones.
While confirmed midair collisions between commercial aircraft and drones are rare, reports of such close encounters have increased in recent years, raising ongoing safety concerns about unauthorized drone activity near airports.