A JetBlue Airways pilot reported hitting a drone as they were preparing to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
A JetBlue Airways pilot reported hitting a drone as it was preparing to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration said JetBlue Flight 948 reported hitting the drone at about 3,000 feet during its final approach at 7:15 a.m. EDT.
“We are clear to land, 13 left,” the pilot told the tower. “Just quickly, I couldn’t talk to approach, but we collided with a drone back there in the turn.”
The pilot confirmed to the controller that the drone hit the passenger plane “right above the cockpit.”
The plane landed safely at Terminal 5 and no passengers, pilots or crew members were injured. No damage was found upon inspection after the flight.
Last week a United Airlines pilot reported nearly hitting a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The FAA reports receiving about 100 reports of drone sightings near airports monthly, despite unauthorized operation of a drone near flight paths and airports is illegal.
Unauthorized operation of a drone near an airport is punishable by fine and subject to criminal charges that could result in jail time.
