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
