A helicopter pilot reported a close encounter with a remote-control airplane in the airspace near John F. Kennedy International Airport on Thursday. The sighting occurred hours after a JetBlue flight crew reported a possible drone strike at the same airport.
The helicopter pilot alerted authorities to the presence of the remote-control aircraft, adding to concerns about the safety of the airspace around one of the nation's busiest airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is investigating the incident.
Details regarding the specifics of the remote-control plane, including its size, exact location, and the altitude at which the encounter occurred, were not immediately available. The FAA has previously warned about the dangers posed by drones and other unmanned aircraft operating near airports, citing the potential for catastrophic accidents.