Federal authorities are investigating a close call this week involving a military helicopter and a United Airlines plane approaching John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. United Airlines Flight 589 was approaching the airport in Orange County around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday when a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter crossed its path, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots on the United Airlines plane were advised by air traffic control to watch for the military helicopter flying near the airport, United Airlines said. “They saw the helicopter, and also received a traffic alert, which they responded to by leveling the aircraft,” United said. The United flight with 162 passengers and six crew members landed safely. The new investigation comes a week after the FAA issued a new airport safety order designed to improve safety near airports where helicopters cross both arrival and departure paths. The order suspends use of visual separation between airplanes…
