ATC audio captures moment United Airlines flight strikes mystery drone

A United Airlines flight reportedly collided with a “shiny, red” drone while descending towards San Diego International Airport. On Wednesday (29 April) United Flight 1980, carrying 48 passengers and six crew members, struck a drone which was hovering near the airport as it was 3,000ft in the air. “The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate. Our maintenance team found no damage after thoroughly inspecting the aircraft," the company said in a statement. Audio from ATC.com depicts the moment the dispatcher asks the pilot what they struck: “Do you have like an approximate size or how many engines or style or anything like that?” “It was so small, I couldn't tell. It was red. It was shiny,” the pilot is heard saying.