JetBlue flight hits drone, helicopter narrowly misses remote-controlled plane in close calls at JFK
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Two close calls were reported at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, just days after a drone incident at Newark Airport.
The first incident involved a JetBlue Airways pilot, who reported being hit by a drone as the flight was on approach for landing at JFK on Monday morning.
The drone hit the JetBlue plane right above the cockpit at about 3,000 feet, according to the pilot. It happened around 7:15 a.m.
"We collided with a drone back there in the turn as we were coming to ASALT, just wanted to pass to you," the pilot told an air traffic controller.
JetBlue flight 948 was returning from Las Vegas. The pilot said they did not need any assistance and were good to continue with the landing.
No passengers, pilots or crew members were hurt as the plane safely landed at Terminal 5.
A post-flight inspection did not reveal any damage to the aircraft, but the FAA says it will investigate.
"Safety is JetBlue's first priority, and we will assist with any relevant investigations," the airline said in a statement.
Later in the day, a second close call occurred after a helicopter pilot says he was almost hit by a remote-controlled plane.
"Just almost ran into a gigantic RC airplane right over there at Floyd Bennett," he told air traffic controllers. "...A big one, at 500 feet."
The FAA said it is aware of reports that a helicopter pilot reported a remote-controlled plane flying close to it and has notified local authorities. The agency is not investigating at this time.
The incident comes days after a United Airlines pilot reported almost hitting a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Though the FAA says it receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month, unauthorized drone operations near flights and airports are illegal under FAA regulation.
The drone operators could be subject to fines and criminal charges, and even possible jail time, per the law.
ABC aviation analyst and expert John Nance spoke out about the ongoing drone sightings at airports.
"The fact is that people are still not following the rules and all it takes is one to end up wrecking an engine or impacting a cockpit," Nance said.
JetBlue said the plane involved in Monday morning's incident was removed from service and inspected. It was cleared to fly to its next destination in Los Angeles, California.
(ABC News contributed to this report.)
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