JetBlue flight reports striking drone while landing at JFK

Transportation JetBlue flight reports striking drone while landing at JFK Comments: by Max Rego - 06/29/26 2:59 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Max Rego - 06/29/26 2:59 PM ET Comments: Link copied

NOW PLAYING

A JetBlue Airways pilot reported striking a drone while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Monday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The pilot of JetBlue Flight 948, en route from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, reported hitting the drone at roughly 3,000 feet in altitude while on final approach to JFK at around 7:15 a.m. EDT, the FAA noted in a statement posted to social media.

The FAA, which is investigating the incident, also said a post-flight inspection of the aircraft “did not reveal any damage” from the drone.

The flight departed Las Vegas at 11:51 p.m. PDT and landed at JFK at 7:25 a.m. EDT — 39 minutes ahead of schedule, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. JetBlue said in a statement the flight landed without incident and passengers deplaned normally.

“Safety is JetBlue’s first priority, and we will assist with any relevant investigations,” the airline added.

Audio shared by @turbinetraveler on social platform X captured the pilot informing an air traffic controller of the incident.

“Just quickly, I couldn’t talk to approach, but we collided with a drone back there in the turn,” the pilot said, after the controller cleared him to land at runway 13 left.

When the controller asked the pilot to confirm what he said, the latter added the drone “hit us right above the cockpit.”

The pilot later said the plane was roughly 10 to 12 miles from JFK, located in Queens, New York, when the incident occurred. When the controller asked the pilot if he needed any assistance, he said no.

The incident came just three days after the crew of United Airlines Flight 1513 reported a drone sighting while on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the FAA. The United flight landed safely at the airport in New Jersey, and the FAA is investigating the incident.

The FAA said Monday it receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month, despite the fact that operating drones around airplanes, helicopters and airports is illegal.

Unauthorized operators face stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time, according to the FAA. The agency noted it is legal to fly a drone under 400 feet in “most locations,” with exceptions for the airspace around airports.

Add as preferred source on Google Tags

Comments: Link copied