Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 29FAA Probes JetBlue Flight 948 Drone Strike Report Near JFK at 3,000 Feet
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 29Summary
- JetBlue Flight 948 from Las Vegas landed safely at JFK after the pilot reported hitting a drone around 7:15 a.m. local time on final approach.
- A post-flight inspection found no damage or evidence of a collision, and JetBlue said no injuries were reported as passengers deplaned normally.
- The FAA is still investigating the reported encounter, which the agency said occurred at about 3,000 feet near John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- Drone operations near airports or other aircraft are illegal, and the FAA says violators can face significant fines or jail time.
Insights
With millions more drones taking flight, is a catastrophic aircraft collision an inevitable disaster or an overstated threat? Why can’t mandatory Remote ID technology immediately identify pilots of drones that threaten commercial flights? If effective anti-drone technology exists, why are airports legally powerless to deploy it against immediate threats?