FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Sends Letter to Federal Officials Following Near Collision at John Wayne Airport
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley sent a formal letter to federal aviation officials demanding answers following a March 24, 2026, near miss between United Flight 589 and a California Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter near John Wayne Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the Black Hawk crossed the aircraft’s path, and public reporting indicates the two aircraft came within 525 feet of each other before the commercial flight landed safely. The flight also received both an air traffic control warning and an onboard resolution advisory.
“This incident demands immediate scrutiny,” said Vice Chair Foley. “Why did a military helicopter come within 525 feet of a commercial passenger flight on final approach to John Wayne Airport? Did existing routing, coordination, and separation procedures permit that movement? If they did, the FAA should explain why those procedures remain adequate. If they did not, the FAA should identify the failure and correct it promptly.”
Supervisor Foley’s letter calls attention to potential gaps in policies governing shared military and civilian airspace, particularly following recent federal safety reforms.
The attached letter requests a written response from the FAA addressing:
- The appropriateness of the helicopter’s route, altitude, and authorization
- Whether new FAA separation procedures applied and whether operators followed them
- Potential restrictions on military helicopter operations near John Wayne Airport
- Stronger coordination among federal, military, and local agencies
- The FAA process for a broader review of mixed military and civilian operations near JWA and at similarly constrained airports
“This near miss has understandably shaken public confidence,” Vice Chair Foley said. “The Department of Transportation and the FAA should move quickly, share preliminary findings as soon as possible, and take any corrective action necessary to protect the traveling public.”
Background:
- January 2025: A fatal midair collision near Reagan National Airport involved a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial regional jet
- January 2026: The National Transportation Safety Board identified systemic failures in the 2025 crash, including overreliance on visual separation in congested airspace
- March 18, 2026: The FAA announced interim helicopter safety procedures, suspending visual separation in certain airspace and directing controllers to use radar-based separation
Supervisor Foley requested a prompt response and a federal briefing on preliminary findings and immediate safety measures under consideration. To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
