United Airlines crew reports seeing drone in airspace as plane approached San Diego International Airport

Jermaine Ong
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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A United Airlines flight crew reported seeing a drone as the plane made its approach to land at San Diego International Airport Wednesday morning.

At around 8:20 a.m., United Flight 1980 from San Francisco was preparing to land in San Diego when the crew reported seeing — according to air-traffic control audio obtained by ABC 10News — a "small, shiny red drone" below them.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, "While approaching San Diego International Airport at about 4,000 feet altitude, the crew of United Airlines Flight 1980 told air traffic control they believed they saw a drone 1,000 feet below them. Air traffic control alerted other pilots but did not receive any additional drone-sighting reports."

United Airlines confirmed the Boeing 737 landed safely, passengers disembarked without issue, and no damage was found on the aircraft.

The agency reminded drone operators that flying above 400 feet without special FAA authorization is prohibited and that drones must steer clear of restricted airspace, including areas near airports.