A United Airlines Boeing 737 flying as Flight 1980 from San Francisco to San Diego reported striking a small, red, shiny object that the crew described as a drone at roughly 3,000 feet, according to an air-traffic recording circulating online.

The incident is especially concerning because the object was reportedly seen at around 3,000 feet, far above the normal operating area for most consumer drones, and directly in the arrival path of commercial aircraft.

LAPD officials say drones were deployed more than 3,000 times last year. While critics worry about how the drones will be used, especially when equipped with AI technology, advocates argue they are more cost-effective than police helicopters.