- A possible collision between a JetBlue jet and a drone occurred at JFK Airport.
- Nine near misses between commercial jets and drones were reported in the first three months of 2026.
- As of early 2026, there were 837,513 active drones registered with the FAA.
The FAA is investigating a reported collision between a JetBlue Airways flight and a drone at JFK Airport, a significant event given the increasing prevalence of drones in U.S. airspace. The incident occurred on Monday morning as the flight approached for landing from Las Vegas.1
The FAA confirmed that a post-flight inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft, but this incident is notable as the agency has never publicly confirmed a collision involving a drone and a U.S. commercial passenger airliner. In the first three months of 2026, nine near misses between commercial jets and drones were reported, according to NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). This follows a troubling trend, as 55 near misses were reported in 2025, and in 2024, drones accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near midair collisions at the country’s busiest airports.23
As of early 2026, 837,513 active drones were registered with the FAA, raising concerns about safety in the skies. The increasing number of drones poses challenges for air traffic safety, prompting calls for stricter regulations and monitoring to prevent potential disasters.
The JetBlue incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures as drone usage continues to rise, potentially jeopardizing the safety of commercial aviation.
“Nine near misses between commercial jets and drones were reported in the first three months of 2026. As of early 2026, there were 837,513 active drones registered with the FAA.”
Forbes
