JetBlue pilot reports hitting drone while landing at New York's JFK

A JetBlue Airways pilot reported hitting a drone on Monday while preparing to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Officials said the pilot of Flight 948 reported striking the drone at approximately 3,000 feet while approaching the airport around 7:15 a.m. The FAA said it is investigating the incident, while a post-flight inspection found no damage to the aircraft. JetBlue confirmed the flight from Las Vegas landed safely and passengers deplaned normally. The airline said the plane was removed from service for inspection and found no damage or evidence of a collision, adding that it would assist with relevant investigations. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot telling the tower he collided with a drone “right above the cockpit.” Drones are prohibited near airports, and the FAA receives about 100 reports of drone sightings around airports each month. Unauthorized operations can lead to civil penalties of up to $75,000 per violation and, in some cases, criminal charges.