tech
March 27, 2026
United flight narrowly avoids US military helicopter in California
FAA investigating after plane carrying 162 passengers forced to change course to prevent collision
TL;DR
- A United flight came within 525ft vertically and 1,422ft laterally of a US military helicopter near John Wayne airport.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.
- The passenger plane carrying 162 passengers and six crew members stopped its descent to avoid a collision.
- This event occurred after a policy change in March, requiring air traffic controllers to actively direct helicopters and planes around airports.
- The FAA will investigate whether the new rule was applied in this instance.
- The military helicopter was on a routine training mission and communicating with air traffic control.
- This incident follows other recent aviation close calls, including a fatal crash involving an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, and a collision at LaGuardia airport.
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