Military Helicopter Cuts in Front of United Jet Near Landing
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Southern California experienced a second alarming near-collision in U.S. airspace this week. On Tuesday night, a United Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 168 passengers and crew was on its final approach to John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana when a Black Hawk helicopter from the Army National Guard crossed directly in front of the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has launched an investigation into the event.
United Airlines reported that air traffic controllers had already warned the flight crew about the helicopter, and the plane’s onboard systems issued the highest-level collision alert. Following protocol, the pilots leveled the jet and completed a safe landing. Early radar data shows the two aircraft came within approximately 525 feet vertically and less than a third of a mile horizontally.
The Army National Guard confirmed that the Black Hawk was returning from a training mission along a standard visual flight route and remained in communication with controllers. The helicopter also landed safely.
Officials are reviewing whether a recently implemented FAA rule was properly applied. The regulation aims to reduce reliance on visual “see and avoid” separation between planes and helicopters, requiring radar-managed spacing instead. The rule was introduced following last year’s deadly collision between a Black Hawk and an American Airlines plane that claimed 67 lives. The National Transportation Safety Board is monitoring the new near-miss as part of its ongoing safety oversight.
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