A JetBlue Airways pilot reported a midair collision with a drone while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed. The incident, the latest in a string of close calls involving unauthorized drones near major airports, has reignited concerns over airspace security.
The pilot of JetBlue Flight 948, which departed Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas just before midnight, reported the impact at roughly 3,000 feet while on final approach to JFK around 7:15 a.m. EDT, according to an FAA statement posted on social media. The agency is investigating the incident.
A post-flight inspection of the aircraft revealed no damage from the drone, the FAA said. The flight landed at 7:25 a.m. EDT — 39 minutes early, according to FlightAware — and passengers deplaned normally, JetBlue said in a statement. “Safety is JetBlue’s first priority, and we will assist with any relevant investigations,” the airline added.
Audio of the pilot’s exchange with air traffic control, shared by @turbinetraveler on X, captured the moment the pilot reported the collision. “Just quickly, I couldn’t talk to approach, but we collided with a drone back there in the turn,” the pilot said after being cleared to land on runway 13 left. When asked to confirm, he added that the drone “hit us right above the cockpit.” The pilot later said the plane was about 10 to 12 miles from JFK when the incident occurred and declined assistance.
The incident comes just three days after the crew of United Airlines Flight 1513 reported spotting a drone while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport. That flight also landed safely, and the FAA is investigating. The agency noted that it receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month, despite federal regulations prohibiting drone operations near aircraft and airports.
Unauthorized drone operators face stiff fines and potential criminal charges, including jail time, the FAA said. While drone flights under 400 feet are legal in most locations, airspace around airports remains restricted. The repeated near-misses have prompted calls for stricter enforcement and advanced counter-drone technology at major hubs. For context, similar security gaps have been exposed at high-profile events, such as the alleged drone plot at a White House UFC event, underscoring the challenge of protecting crowded airspace.
The rise in drone incidents also echoes broader geopolitical tensions involving unmanned aircraft, including US military strikes on Iranian targets after a drone attack on a cargo ship. While domestic drone incursions near airports are not directly linked to state actors, the pattern highlights the growing need for robust airspace management.
Monday’s drone strike at JFK adds to a growing list of close calls that aviation officials warn could have catastrophic consequences. As the FAA continues its investigation, the incident is likely to fuel further debate over drone regulation and enforcement in the United States.
