drone hit – A JetBlue pilot reported being hit by a drone during the approach for landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning, saying the impact occurred right above the cockpit at about 3,000 feet. The flight returned safely to Terminal 5, and no o
At about 7:15 a.m. on Monday morning, a JetBlue flight lining up to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport suddenly had to deal with something no pilot wants to see: a drone collision right above the cockpit.
The pilot reported being hit by the drone while the plane was on approach, at roughly 3,000 feet. In communication with air traffic control. the pilot told the controller. “We collided with a drone back there in the turn as we were coming to ASALT. just wanted to pass to you.” The pilot also said JetBlue flight 948 did not need any assistance and was good to continue with the landing.
JetBlue flight 948 was returning from Las Vegas. The aircraft safely landed at Terminal 5, and no passengers, pilots, or crew members were hurt. A post-flight inspection did not reveal any damage to the aircraft, though the FAA said it will investigate.
JetBlue said safety is its first priority and that it will assist with relevant investigations. The airline also reported that the plane involved in Monday morning’s incident was removed from service and inspected, then cleared to fly to its next destination in Los Angeles, California.
The incident landed in a wider drumbeat of warnings about drones near airports. It came days after a United Airlines pilot reported almost hitting a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The FAA says it receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month. Unauthorized drone operations near flights and airports are illegal under FAA regulation, and under the law, drone operators could face fines and criminal charges, along with possible jail time.
John Nance, an ABC aviation analyst and expert, spoke directly to what the incidents have in common: “The fact is that people are still not following the rules and all it takes is one to end up wrecking an engine or impacting a cockpit,” Nance said.
JetBlue drone JFK Airport FAA investigation Terminal 5 flight 948 Las Vegas Los Angeles air traffic control aviation safety