United Airlines Flight Avoids Collision With Military Helicopter in California

Key Points:

• The FAA is investigating a near miss incident in California where a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter crossed in front of United Airlines Flight 589 near John Wayne Airport, raising concerns about visual separation practices.
• This incident occurred shortly after the FAA suspended the use of visual separation between helicopters and airplanes near busy airports, a practice that allowed pilots to navigate based on sight rather than air traffic control guidance.
• The suspension followed a fatal 2022 collision involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 near Reagan National Airport, which was also linked to the use of visual separation.
• United Airlines reported that air traffic controllers had warned Flight 589 pilots about the nearby military helicopter, and the pilots took corrective action to avoid collision, resulting in a safe landing with 162 passengers and six crew members aboard.
• The incident coincides with another recent aviation safety event at LaGuardia Airport, where an airport fire truck crossed a runway during an Air Canada Express landing, causing a fatal crash under investigation for staffing and technology issues.