Federal Investigators Scrutinize Mid-Air Near-Miss Between National Guard Helicopter and Commercial Airliner

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an inquiry into a dangerous encounter between a United Airlines Boeing 737 and a California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, March 24, as the commercial flight approached John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. While descending at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, the passenger jet was forced to take evasive action when the military helicopter crossed directly into its flight path. Flight tracking data indicates the two aircraft came within 525 feet vertically and 1,422 feet laterally of one another.

The proximity of the two aircraft triggered a Traffic Collision Avoidance System Resolution Advisory, prompting the United pilots to immediately level off the plane to avoid a potential collision. Air traffic control acknowledged the severity of the situation during radio communications, noting that the event was unacceptable. The National Guard Bureau confirmed that the Black Hawk, which was returning to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos following a routine training mission, is currently part of a formal review. Both the FAA and military officials are working to determine how the two aircraft were allowed to occupy the same airspace simultaneously.