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Coverage dated April 28, 2026

United Airlines pilot from SFO reports possibly hitting drone

Headline from KTVU San Francisco

A United Airlines pilot who took off from San Francisco International Airport early Wednesday called in to say it seemed like he hit a drone in the sky en route to San Diego.

KTVU San Francisco's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

7 articles, oldest first.

  1. KTVU San Francisco

    United Airlines pilot from SFO reports possibly hitting drone (opens KTVU San Francisco)

    Published

    KTVU San Francisco's feed description

    A United Airlines pilot who took off from San Francisco International Airport early Wednesday called in to say it seemed like he hit a drone in the sky en route to San Diego.

  2. NBC Los Angeles

    United Airlines flight reports drone on approach to San Diego International Airport (opens NBC Los Angeles)

    Published

    NBC Los Angeles's feed description

    Ground crews were unable to find damage on the aircraft, which had 54 people on board, when it landed shortly after 8:30 a.m.

  3. Times Of San Diego

    No damage after United jet reportedly hits drone near San Diego airport (opens Times Of San Diego)

    Published

    Times Of San Diego's feed description

    The pilot of the United Airlines Boeing 737 reported Wednesday morning that the plane hit a drone at about 3,000 feet near the airport.

  4. Los Angeles Times

    United Airlines pilot reports possible drone collision 3,000 feet over San Diego (opens Los Angeles Times)

    Published

    Los Angeles Times's feed description

    According to recordings of the conversation between the pilot and the tower reviewed by The Times, the pilot tells ground control that it happened on the "base leg" of the flight.

  5. New York Post

    United Airlines flight from San Francisco to San Diego reportedly strikes ‘red, shiny’ drone (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    A United Airlines flight that took off from San Francisco reportedly struck a red, shiny drone about 3,000 feet above San Diego.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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