JFK Near Miss: JetBlue Pilot Reports Drone Strike During Landing!
JFK Near Miss: JetBlue Pilot Reports Drone Strike During Landing!
A JetBlue pilot reported striking a drone while landing at JFK Airport. The plane landed safely with no damage, but the incident sparks renewed concerns about drone safety near busy airports. Read more!
A JetBlue Airways pilot recently reported a startling incident: striking a drone while on approach to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that despite the impact, the aircraft landed safely, and a post-flight inspection revealed no damage. The FAA has since launched an investigation into the matter.
The incident, which occurred at an altitude of nearly 3,000 feet (900m) around 07:15 EDT, adds to a growing list of close encounters between drones and commercial aircraft. According to air traffic control audio recorded by ATC.com, the pilot relayed, "Just quickly, I couldn't talk to approach, but we collided with a drone back there in the turn." When asked for confirmation, the pilot affirmed, "Yep, it hit us right, right above the cockpit."
In a statement, JetBlue reassured the public, stating, "The flight landed without incident, customers deplaned normally, and the plane was removed from service for a post-flight inspection, which found no damage or evidence of a collision." The airline's swift action ensured passenger safety and operational integrity.
This event is not isolated. Days prior to the JetBlue incident, a United Airlines pilot reported a near collision with a drone while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The FAA estimates it receives over 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month. Despite regulations strictly prohibiting unauthorized drone operations in these vicinities, such incidents persist.
The agency sternly warns that unauthorized drone operators face significant consequences, including "stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time." Authorities continue to emphasize the critical importance of adhering to drone regulations to ensure the safety of air travel for everyone.
