- A JetBlue flight reported a possible drone strike while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- The pilot of JetBlue Airlines Flight 948 reported striking a drone at approximately 3,000 feet altitude around 7:15 a.m. local time.
- The FAA confirmed that the flight landed without incident, and a post-flight inspection found no damage or evidence of a collision.
- Later on the same day, a helicopter pilot reported a near miss with a remote-controlled airplane near JFK Airport.
- The FAA issued a warning to nearby pilots about an unauthorized unmanned aircraft system operating in protected airspace.
- The FAA has stated that flying a remote-controlled aircraft near airports is illegal and poses a serious safety risk to aircraft.
- The FAA receives over 100 complaints a month regarding unmanned aircraft in restricted airspace.
- Interfering with the operation of an aircraft is a federal crime, with penalties of up to $100,000.
A JetBlue flight reported a drone strike while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning, with the incident occurring at approximately 3,000 feet around 7:15 a.m. local time. The pilot confirmed the collision, stating, “Yep, it hit us right, right above the cockpit.”1234
The flight, arriving from Las Vegas, landed safely at 7:21 a.m. without further incident, and a post-flight inspection revealed no damage. JetBlue emphasized, “Safety is JetBlue's first priority, and we will assist with any relevant investigations.”
Later that day, a helicopter pilot reported a near-miss with a remote-controlled airplane, prompting the FAA to issue warnings about unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the area. The helicopter incident occurred around 4:05 p.m., with the remote-controlled plane flying at an altitude of 500 feet, dangerously close to commercial flight paths.6
The FAA noted that unauthorized drone operations near airports are illegal and pose serious safety risks. The agency receives over 100 complaints monthly regarding unmanned aircraft in restricted airspace. “The fact is that people are still not following the rules,” said aviation expert John Nance, highlighting the potential dangers of such encounters.9
The FAA is investigating the JetBlue incident, which could represent one of the first known collisions between a drone and a US commercial passenger plane. Violators of drone regulations may face significant civil penalties and criminal charges, including possible jail time.
“A JetBlue flight reported hitting a drone at JFK Airport while approaching for landing. This incident occurred on the same day a helicopter pilot reported a near miss with a remote-controlled plane.”
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