JetBlue Pilot Reports Drone Collision at JFK Airport
A JetBlue Airways Corp. pilot reported that his aircraft struck a drone while landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning. The collision occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time, when the aircraft was about 3,000 feet above the runway and the drone hit the aircraft just above the cockpit. The pilot informed air‑traffic control that he did not require assistance and continued to the runway.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and stated that a post‑flight inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft. The regulator also noted that the pilot did not request any assistance.
Earlier, on Friday, a crew from United Airlines Holdings Inc. reported seeing a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport at around 5:20 p.m. local time.
These incidents follow recent actions by authorities who have seized hundreds of drones near venues hosting World Cup games, including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It remains unclear whether the airline incidents are linked to the World Cup‑related drone activity. In April, the FAA announced an investigation into operators who allegedly flew drones too close to Coors Field in Denver during Colorado Rockies games.
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