Unstable approach — UAL2866

KSBA · 25

2026-08-15 05:31 UTC· KSFO → KSBA· UNITED AIRLINES INC· B738

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UAL2866 (United Airlines) was operating from KSFO to KSBA on 2026-08-15. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (KSBA) on runway 25 at 05:31 UTC. Trace data at the event: 1126 ft AGL, 140 kt GS. Approach stability score: 43/100. Scores below 50 occur on under 10% of approaches at this runway and indicate the v2 scorer flagged the approach as highly anomalous (three or more gates exceeded the runway's P90 envelope simultaneously). METAR at the time reported 2 kt wind, 2 kt crosswind component, 12,875 m visibility. The approach-stability score rates the final approach against stabilized-approach gates (glideslope, lateral deviation, descent rate, and IAS) at defined altitudes. A low score means one or more of those were outside the normal envelope for how the approach was flown. The score is graded by guidance type, so instrument approaches (ILS or an aligned straight-in) are held to the full gate set, while visual and pattern arrivals are surfaced only when the score is clearly low. The score is advisory and observational, a deviation measure, not an assertion of an accident. Detection algorithm and known limitations: see SkyMeter methodology.

Active FAA TFR during this flight

Source: FAA TFR archive (hourly snapshot)
  • HAZARDS6/3157 2026-08-10 01:18Z – 2026-08-23 15:00Z SFC–7,500 ft

    8NM SE BIG SUR, CA, Monday, August 10, 2026 through Sunday, August 23, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • HAZARDS6/3480 2026-08-10 18:36Z – 2026-08-23 15:00Z SFC–7,500 ft

    8NM SE BIG SUR, CA, Monday, August 10, 2026 through Sunday, August 23, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • HAZARDS6/4807 2026-08-13 03:30Z – 2026-08-20 03:30Z SFC–8,500 ft

    8NM SE BIG SUR, CA, Thursday, August 13, 2026 through Thursday, August 20, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • SECURITY6/3687 2026-08-13 23:00Z – 2026-08-17 01:00Z SFC–400 ft

    Monteray, CA, Thursday, August 13, 2026 through Sunday, August 16, 2026 Local

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • HAZARDS6/5070 2026-08-14 13:00Z – 2026-08-27 03:00Z SFC–8,500 ft

    8NM SE BIG SUR, CA, Friday, August 14, 2026 through Thursday, August 27, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →

SkyMeter cross-referenced this flight against FAA-published TFRs that were active during its window and within its geographic bounding box. Overlap doesn't necessarily mean violation — the aircraft may have been outside the TFR’s precise polygon or flying under air-traffic-control coordination.

Pilot review data

  • Runway 25
  • 1126 ft AGL at event
  • 140 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • Approach stability 43/100
  • 2 kt wind
  • 2 kt crosswind component
  • 12,875 m visibility
  • KSBA 161353Z 00000KT 8SM OVC040 18/16 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP140 T01830161 $

Flight context

  • UAL2866
  • United Airlines
  • B738
  • KSFO → KSBA
  • 2026-08-15 05:31 UTC
  • KSBA runway 25

All events on this flight

Unstable approach 05:31:24 UTC · KSBA runway 25 · 1,126 ft AGL · 140 kt GS
Unstable approach 05:31:24 UTC · KSBA runway 25 · 1,126 ft AGL · 140 kt GS

Automated analysis. Events shown on this page (such as go-around, unstable approach, or runway events) are heuristic classifications produced by algorithms from publicly broadcast ADS-B data. They are intended to surface flights of interest for further review — they are not findings of fact, and they do not determine pilot fault, regulatory compliance, or the cause of any occurrence. Coverage gaps and sensor noise can affect accuracy. Only the relevant civil aviation authority or accident investigation body can make official determinations. How we detect events · Dispute or correct this data

SkyMeter · trace data observed via ADS-B· KSBA