United flight from SFO reports possible midair drone strike
San Francisco Chronicle • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines Flight 1980, a Boeing 737 traveling from San Francisco to San Diego, reported a possible drone strike shortly before landing, but landed safely with no damage found after inspection.
- The flight carried 48 passengers and six crew members, departing San Francisco at 6:53 a.m. and arriving in San Diego at 8:28 a.m.
- An air traffic control recording captured the pilot reporting striking a small, red, shiny object at about 3,000 feet during the approach.
- While drone sightings near airports have raised safety concerns, confirmed midair collisions involving commercial planes remain rare.
