United Airlines Flight Avoids Collision With Military Helicopter in California The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a military helicopter crossed into the path of United Airlines Flight 589 near John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. The incident occurred on Tuesday around 8:40 p.m., according to the FAA, which is examining whether visual separation protocols were followed during the encounter. The agency had recently suspended the practice of visual separation, requiring air traffic controllers to actively manage flight paths for helicopters and commercial aircraft near busy airports. United Airlines Flight 589 was descending toward the airport when a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, identified as a U.S. Army aircraft via flight tracking data, entered its flight path. The FAA stated it is reviewing whether the pilots or controllers adhered to the new rules, which replaced the previous system allowing pilots to manage their own spacing in crowded airspace. The change followed a fatal crash in 2023 when an Army Black Hawk collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 near Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 people on board. The pilots of the helicopter had been granted visual separation clearance minutes before the collision. In a statement, United Airlines confirmed that air traffic controllers had warned the pilots of Flight 589 about the approaching military helicopter. The crew reported seeing the aircraft and responding by leveling off instead of continuing their descent. The plane, carrying 162 passengers and six crew members, landed safely without incident. The FAA’s decision to end visual separation came amid heightened safety concerns after the 2023 crash.#federal_aviation_administration #united_airlines #reagan_national_airport #john_wayne_airport #sikorsky_black_hawk
United flight narrowly avoids US military helicopter in California A United Airlines flight carrying 162 passengers and six crew members narrowly avoided a collision with a US military helicopter near John Wayne Airport in southern California, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday when the military Black Hawk helicopter, returning from a training mission, crossed into the path of the passenger plane. Pilots were instructed to alter their course to prevent a collision, according to FAA officials. The FAA announced on Friday that it was examining the incident, which involved a close call just over a year after a similar crash in Washington, D.C., where an American Airlines jet collided with an army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 67 people. That tragedy had led to increased scrutiny of flight path regulations and safety protocols to prevent such near misses. In March, the FAA revised its policy in response to the 2025 crash, requiring air traffic controllers to actively use radar to guide both helicopters and planes around airports nationwide. Previously, controllers relied on pilots to visually avoid each other. Before the Washington incident, controllers had asked helicopter pilots whether they had seen the plane and allowed them to proceed without further intervention. In the California incident, the FAA stated it would assess whether the new rule was applied. United Airlines confirmed the details of the event in a brief statement, noting that pilots on flight 589 were alerted by air traffic control to watch for a military helicopter near the airport. The pilots spotted the helicopter and responded to a traffic alert by leveling the aircraft.#california #federal_aviation_administration #united_airlines #black_hawk_helicopter #john_wayne_airport
Military Helicopter Near United Flight Sparks FAA Investigation at John Wayne Airport A military helicopter crossed in front of a United Airlines flight as the aircraft approached John Wayne Airport on Tuesday night, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. when United Airlines Flight 589 was descending toward the airport, according to the FAA. A Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter reportedly entered the flight path of the commercial plane, coming within approximately 525 feet vertically and 1,422 feet horizontally at their closest point, as recorded by flight tracking website FlightRadar24. The website described the event as a “close call.” United Airlines confirmed that its pilots were alerted by air traffic control to a military helicopter near the airport during the flight’s final approach. The crew reported seeing the helicopter and received a traffic alert, prompting them to level the aircraft before safely landing about three minutes later. FlightRadar24 noted that the commercial plane avoided the helicopter and completed its descent into Santa Ana without incident. John Wayne Airport spokesperson AnnaSophia Servin told a reporter that the situation did not constitute a close call, though the FAA has launched an investigation to determine whether a recently implemented measure limiting the use of “visual separation” between aircraft and helicopters was in effect. Visual separation, a method allowing pilots to maintain distance from other aircraft by keeping them in sight rather than relying solely on radar and air traffic controllers, is now being restricted. According to Juan Browne, a former U.S.#federal_aviation_administration #united_airlines #john_wayne_airport #flight_radar24 #california_national_guard
Federal Aviation Administration Investigates Near Miss Between United Airlines Plane and Black Hawk Helicopter in California The Federal Aviation Administration is examining a close call involving a United Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when United Airlines Flight 589, en route from San Francisco, encountered a collision avoidance alarm while preparing to land. The warning was triggered by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter operating under the callsign Knife 25. According to FlightRadar24, the closest point between the aircraft was 525 feet vertically and 1,422 feet laterally. United Airlines stated that air traffic control had advised the pilots of the Boeing 737 to monitor for a military helicopter near the airport during the final approach. After the alarm activated, the pilots halted their descent and leveled off until the helicopter passed, allowing them to land safely. An air traffic controller’s audio recording, shared by LiveATC.net, included a statement: “We’re gonna be addressing that, because that was not good.” The National Guard confirmed the helicopter was on a routine training mission, returning to its base at Los Alamitos Airfield. The agency noted the aircraft followed an established Visual Flight Rules (VFR) route at an assigned altitude while communicating with air traffic control. A thorough review is underway in coordination with relevant agencies. This incident follows a similar tragedy in January 2025, when a Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities—the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in nearly two decades.#federal_aviation_administration #united_airlines #black_hawk_helicopter #john_wayne_airport #national_guard
