United flight from SFO disrupted by ‘possible drone strike’

A United Airlines flight from San Francisco International Airport to Southern California was disrupted on Wednesday due to “a possible drone strike,” the airline told SFGATE in a statement.

The pilots aboard United flight 1980 reported the strike prior to arriving at San Diego International Airport around 8:30 a.m. The airline said the flight landed safely and the 48 passengers deplaned without interference. A maintenance check found no damage on the aircraft.

According to an audio clip from ATC Air Traffic Control posted on social media, the pilot told SAN air traffic control that they “hit a drone probably at around 3,000 feet.” The pilot described the drone as “small” and “red.”