United pilots report GPS interference near Los Angeles

Pilots on at least two United Airlines flights reported GPS interference near Los Angeles early on September 25, 2026, according to US aviation officials.

One aircraft was identified as United Flight 1962, an Airbus A321neo departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It reported that the crew alerted air traffic controllers to navigation problems at 00:36 local time. A second report came a short time later from United Flight 1866 at 01:15.

It is unclear what caused the interference or whether any other flights were affected.

GPS interference can affect more than an aircraft’s position display. The FAA’s guidance identifies potential effects on navigation, surveillance and other systems that depend on satellite position or timing information.

Jamming disrupts reception of satellite signals, while spoofing introduces false signals that can cause a receiver to calculate an incorrect position or time. A report of degraded GPS reception alone does not establish which occurred.

Aircraft operating under specified commercial instrument flight rules must retain navigation capability independent of GPS. Depending on the aircraft and phase of flight, that can include inertial systems and ground-based radio navigation aids.

The FAA advises pilots to monitor their equipment for anomalies and promptly report apparent GPS degradation to air traffic control. Its guidance also calls for detailed reports through the agency’s GPS anomaly reporting system.

GPS interference was implicated in the May 14, 2026, crash of a Beechcraft King Air C90 air ambulance near Ruidoso, New Mexico, which killed two pilots and two flight nurses. The crew reported losing GPS navigation while the US military was conducting jamming exercises in the area, according to the NTSB’s preliminary report. Investigators have not determined the crash’s probable cause.

The problem extends beyond the United States. European aviation regulators have reported increased satellite navigation interference around the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Middle East. EASA updated its safety guidance in July 2026 following further jamming and spoofing incidents, recommending changes to pilot training and coordination with air traffic controllers.The post United pilots report GPS interference near Los Angeles appeared first on AeroTime.

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