In an unsettling incident on Monday afternoon, a helicopter pilot reported nearly colliding with a massive remote-controlled airplane near John F. Kennedy International Airport. This alarming report marks the second aviation safety concern at JFK on the same day, as captured in the newly released air traffic control recordings.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the helicopter pilot navigating close to JFK relayed that a remote-control aircraft came unsettlingly close to their helicopter.
This unsettling encounter occurred just hours following another incident, where a JetBlue pilot reported a potential drone strike as the aircraft was making its approach to JFK for landing.
LiveATC obtained air traffic control audio documenting the helicopter pilot’s report of the near miss, which occurred above the northern area of Floyd Bennett Field.
When questioned if the object might have been a drone, the pilot clarified it was a significant model of a remote-controlled airplane, flying at an altitude of 500 feet.
JETBLUE FLIGHT REPORTS DRONE STRIKE DURING APPROACH TO NEW YORK AIRPORT: FAA
Aircraft operate at Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
JFK air traffic control issued a warning to nearby pilots of an unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operating in protected airspace, according to ATIS.guru, which collects live digital messages from airports around the world.
According to the warning, a “red and white” remote-controlled airplane was spotted flying at roughly 4:05 p.m. local time.
It was observed at an altitude of 500 feet, placing it within the typical flight path of low-flying commercial aircraft approaching the airport, according to the ATIS warning.
The aircraft was reported about 1 mile from the Canarsie (CRI) navigation beacon, a key waypoint used by aircraft lining up to land at JFK.
A drone flies above the ground while carrying a package. (iStock)
The helicopter pilot also told controllers he saw “a couple other ones on the ground” that appeared to be preparing to take off from what he described as an RC flying area near Floyd Bennett Field.
Air traffic controllers told the pilot they would notify NYPD Aviation to investigate the report.
Asked whether the aircraft had struck his helicopter, the pilot responded: “No, I just missed it, but I didn’t hit it or anything.”
People are seen in the new JetBlue Airways Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport during a terminal test in New York. (REUTERS/Joshua Lott/File Photo)
Authorities have not indicated whether the helicopter encounter and the earlier reported drone strike involving the JetBlue flight are connected.
The FAA said it notified local authorities about the report.
Flying a remote-controlled aircraft or drone near a major airport is illegal and poses a serious safety risk to aircraft operating in the area, according to the agency.
A helicopter and drone fly past each other on May 30, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier Monday morning, a JetBlue flight reported striking a drone at approximately 3,000 feet roughly 10 miles from JFK, the FAA said.
Air traffic control audio from that incident indicated the object appeared to strike the aircraft above the cockpit.
The flight landed safely, and a post-flight inspection did not reveal any damage to the aircraft, JetBlue said.
The FAA is investigating the reported JetBlue incident.