FAA investigating JetBlue pilot complaint about drone collision

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would be investigating an incident near John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday in which a JetBlue plane collided with a drone mid-air.

The airplane, which had departed from Las Vegas, safely landed at New York City’s JFK airport Monday morning and had no physical damage from the drone’s impact, according to the FAA’s initial inspection. The pilot of JetBlue’s Flight 948 had reported the incident to air traffic control around 7:15 a.m., when the plane was at about 3,000 feet.

“A post-flight inspection did not reveal any damage to the aircraft. The FAA will investigate,” the FAA said in a preliminary statement.

The FAA prohibits flying unauthorized drones within five miles of U.S. airports, with unauthorized drone flights carrying fines of up to $75,000 and possible license revocation for the drone pilot. They are also not allowed more than 400 feet above the ground.

JetBlue said it would help the FAA in the investigation of the incident. The FBI is also investigating.

“We collided with a drone back there in the turn as we were coming to ASALT, just wanted to pass to you,” the pilot said in a radio message to air traffic control, using the acronym for the point near JFK airport where pilots prepare to land.

Unauthorized drone incidents have been in the news across the United States recently, as it hosts FIFA World Cup matches. As of June 22, the FBI had intercepted over 300 unauthorized drones flying above World Cup stadiums and official FIFA watch parties.

The FAA is also investigating a separate drone incident that occurred near Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday, in which a United Airlines pilot reported that his plane nearly collided with a drone.