The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a serious near-miss involving a United Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter near John Wayne Airport.
The incident occurred as United flight UA589, a Boeing 737-800 (reg. N76519) arriving from San Francisco, was on final approach. A cockpit collision-avoidance alert was triggered when a UH-60 Black Hawk crossed ahead of the aircraft. At their closest point, the two aircraft were separated by just 525 feet (160 m) vertically and 1,422 feet (433 m) laterally.
Following the alert, the pilots halted their descent and levelled off until safely clear of the helicopter, then completed the landing. Air traffic control had earlier warned the crew about nearby military traffic.
The California National Guard stated the helicopter was on a routine training mission under visual flight rules and in contact with air traffic control. A joint investigation is now underway.
The incident adds to growing concerns about helicopter and aircraft separation near busy airports, particularly after the deadly 2025 Washington National Airport mid-air collision. In response to recent close calls, the FAA has tightened procedures, now requiring controllers to actively track helicopters in airport flight paths rather than relying on pilot “see and avoid” practices.
Overall, the event underscores ongoing risks in mixed civilian-military airspace and the need for stricter coordination to maintain safety.