FAA Probes Close Call Between United Flight, Army Black Hawk at SNA

Aviation Safety — March 27, 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation Monday into a close call between United Airlines Flight 589 and a U.S. Army helicopter at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. The incident occurred March 24 around 8:40 p.m. PST during the Boeing 737's final approach.

Proximity Analysis

United Flight 589, carrying between 162 and 168 passengers, received a traffic alert when its Traffic Collision Avoidance System issued a resolution advisory. Pilots responded by leveling off at approximately 2,000 feet while a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos crossed their path. Federal investigators are reviewing telemetry showing the aircraft separated by 1,425 feet laterally and 525 feet vertically, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Regulatory Review

FAA officials noted that while vertical separation met Visual Flight Rules minimums of 500 feet, the close proximity at Class C airspace boundaries has raised safety questions. Air traffic control audio captured by observers indicated immediate concern over coordination between civilian and military operations in Southern California, Military.com reported. No injuries were reported, and all occupants landed safely following the avoidance maneuver.

Sources: ABC7, Los Angeles Times, Military.com, Flightradar24