JetBlue pilot reports drone strike on approach to JFK airport

A JetBlue Airways pilot reported striking a drone while the aircraft was on approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to aviation officials. The flight landed safely, and a post-flight inspection found no damage.

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The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the incident. The FAA said the reported strike happened at an altitude of nearly 3,000 feet, or about 900 metres, at around 07:15 EDT, which is 11:15 GMT. Air traffic control audio recorded the pilot saying the aircraft had collided with a drone during the turn toward landing.

In the recording, the pilot also said the drone hit the aircraft above the cockpit. JetBlue said the plane landed without incident, passengers deplaned normally, and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection. The incident adds to concern about drones near busy airports, where even brief incursions can create risks for commercial flights.

The FAA says it receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports every month, despite rules banning unauthorised drone operations in the area. The agency has warned that people who operate drones illegally near airports can face heavy fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time. The report comes just days after a United Airlines pilot said a drone nearly collided with a plane approaching Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

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Together, the two cases underline the pressure on US aviation authorities to prevent drone activity from interfering with aircraft on final approach. They also highlight the challenge of detecting and identifying drones quickly enough to reduce the risk to passengers and crews. John F.

Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, which makes any drone-related incident there especially sensitive. Commercial aircraft are most vulnerable during take-off and landing, when they are flying at lower altitudes and have less room to manoeuvre. The FAA's investigation will be important in determining what type of drone was involved and how close it came to the aircraft.

What remains unclear is who operated the drone and whether it was recovered. It is also not yet known whether the aircraft sustained any hidden damage beyond the initial inspection. The FAA inquiry is expected to focus on the circumstances of the sighting, the aircraft's flight path and any enforcement action that may follow.

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