John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was the site of two separate reported drone encounters on Monday, including a JetBlue flight experiencing what the pilot described as a possible drone strike. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed both incidents and issued warnings to pilots operating near the airport.
In the earlier incident, a JetBlue flight reported striking a drone at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet, about 10 miles from JFK. Air traffic audio captured the pilot alerting controllers that the aircraft had "collided with a drone" above the cockpit. The flight continued and landed without incident, and a post-flight inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft, according to JetBlue.
Later that afternoon, a helicopter pilot reported a remote-control airplane flying in close proximity while the helicopter was near JFK. The FAA stated that a "red and white" remote-controlled airplane was observed at an altitude of 500 feet, approximately one mile from the Canarsie navigation beacon, a key waypoint for aircraft approaching the airport. JFK air traffic control subsequently issued a warning to nearby pilots about an unauthorized unmanned aircraft system operating in protected airspace.
Flying drones or remote-controlled aircraft in restricted airspace near major airports is illegal and presents a significant safety hazard. The FAA has notified local authorities regarding these reports. It remains unclear if the two incidents are related.