JetBlue pilot confirms drone strike on final approach to JFK

JetBlue pilot confirms a drone strike during final approach to JFK, highlighting the heightened risk of unmanned aircraft near major airports. According to the FAA, the pilot of JetBlue Flight 948 reported hitting a drone at about 3,000 feet while on final approach around 7:15 a.m. local time Monday. The Airbus A321 was arriving from Las Vegas, and the incident occurred just north of Sea Bright, roughly 10 to 12 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The crew told air traffic control no assistance was needed and continued the descent, with the aircraft landing safely at 7:21 a.m. A post-flight inspection reportedly found no visible damage, and no injuries were reported. The FAA opened a formal investigation. The event follows a United Airlines pilot’s near miss with a drone days earlier at Newark Liberty International Airport.