A United Airlines pilot reported a possible drone strike while descending for landing at San Diego International Airport on Wednesday, according to air traffic control audio and statements from United Airlines.
United Flight 1980, a Boeing 737 traveling from San Francisco, landed safely after the incident, which the crew said happened at about 3,000 feet.
No injuries were reported, and a post-flight inspection found no damage to the aircraft. The airlines said that 48 passengers and six crewmembers were on the flight.
"United Flight 1980 reported a potential drone prior to arriving in San Diego," United Airlines said in a statement. "The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate. Our maintenance team found no damage after thoroughly inspecting the aircraft."
Audio posted by aviation monitoring accounts captured a pilot telling air traffic controllers, "We hit a drone at around 3,000 feet." The pilot said it was a red drone heading west.
When asked to describe the object, the pilot said it appeared red and shiny but was too small to identify clearly.
The San Diego incident comes as the FAA has intensified enforcement efforts against unauthorized drone activity near airports and major public events.
The FAA said the initiative supports President Donald Trump’s executive order on restoring American airspace sovereignty and is intended to strengthen compliance with federal drone laws.
Under the program, some first-time drone operators may resolve minor violations by accepting reduced civil penalties or by suspending their certificates if they admit liability and waive appeal rights. More serious violations involving restricted airspace or significant safety risks will continue to be handled through standard enforcement channels, the FAA said.
"This program will further deter violations by ensuring swift enforcement action and reinforce the agency’s commitment to protecting the National Airspace System," FAA Chief Counsel Liam McKenna said in an April 16 statement.
Prosecutors said the drone punched a hole in the aircraft’s wing, forcing the plane out of service for several days during critical wildfire operations. The operator later agreed to plead guilty to unsafe drone operation and pay more than $65,000 in restitution. The charges also carried a potential sentence of up to one year in federal prison.