A JetBlue pilot reported striking a drone while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning, marking the second confirmed or reported collision between a commercial aircraft and an unmanned drone in the New York area within three days. The Airbus A321, operating as Flight 948 from Las Vegas, reported the strike at approximately 3,000 feet altitude around 7:15 a.m. EDT as it descended toward the runway.
“We collided with a drone back there in the turn,” the pilot told air traffic control, according to audio recordings. “It hit us right above the cockpit.” The aircraft landed safely without additional assistance, and JetBlue confirmed that passengers disembarked normally. An inspection of the plane found no damage or evidence of a collision, according to the airline.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident. “Safety is JetBlue’s first priority, and we will assist with any relevant investigations,” JetBlue said in a statement. The FAA said the plane was removed from service following the reported strike to allow for a thorough inspection.
The incident comes just two days after a United Airlines Boeing 737 reported a near-miss with a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 27. In that incident, the United crew reported seeing the drone approximately 100 feet below their aircraft as they descended toward the runway. The FAA investigated both incidents as drone encounters near major New York area airports have become increasingly common.
Growing Threat at Major Airports
According to the AP, the FAA reported that more than 100 drone sightings are reported near airports every month, with law enforcement working to investigate each incident. Drones are generally permitted to fly below 400 feet, but the FAA strictly restricts airspace around airports and major public events due to safety concerns. Unauthorized drones in restricted airspace can result in substantial fines and potential confiscation of the aircraft.
The risk of collision is most acute near airports because that is where flight paths of drones and commercial aircraft overlap most frequently. Pilots who violate restricted airspace face civil penalties and possible criminal charges. In April 2026, the FAA determined that a drone passed roughly 1,000 feet below a United Airlines aircraft approaching San Diego International Airport and did not strike the plane, demonstrating that initial pilot reports of drone encounters don’t always result in confirmed collisions upon investigation.
The reported JetBlue strike and the Newark near-miss underscore growing concerns about drone safety as their use expands and unauthorized operators increasingly fly near major aviation hubs. The FAA continues to work with law enforcement to identify and investigate drone incidents in restricted airspace around the nation’s busiest airports.
Sources
- AP News — JetBlue pilot report, flight details, FAA investigation, drone regulations, and historical context on drone incidents
- CNN — JetBlue incident confirmation, altitude and timing details
- Reuters — JetBlue incident confirmation, landing details, and FAA statement
- BBC — JetBlue incident confirmation and pilot communication
- New York Post — Newark United incident context and timing
- The New York Times — Newark United incident details
