A helicopter pilot reported a near-miss with a remote-controlled aircraft near John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday afternoon, according to newly disclosed air traffic control recordings. The incident occurred hours after a separate safety concern involving a JetBlue flight approaching the same airport.
The pilot described encountering a “gigantic RC airplane” while flying over the northern section of Floyd Bennett Field. Controllers were alerted to the unauthorized unmanned aircraft system operating at approximately 500 feet, a height that overlaps with the typical flight path of commercial aircraft descending toward JFK. The pilot confirmed the object was a remote-controlled plane, not a drone, and emphasized it had narrowly avoided a collision.
Authorities issued a warning to nearby pilots about the unauthorized aircraft, noting its red-and-white color and location near a critical navigation waypoint for arrivals at JFK. The pilot also observed additional remote-controlled planes on the ground, potentially preparing for launch in the area. Controllers relayed the report to NYPD Aviation for investigation, though no physical contact occurred with the helicopter.
Earlier that morning, a JetBlue flight reported a possible drone strike at 3,000 feet, roughly 10 miles from JFK. Air traffic control audio indicated the object struck the aircraft above the cockpit. Post-landing inspections found no structural damage, and officials are reviewing the incident for further details. The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed it is probing both events.
Operating remote-controlled aircraft or drones near major airports violates federal regulations and poses significant risks to air traffic. The FAA reiterated that such activities remain prohibited in protected airspace zones, emphasizing the potential dangers to commercial and recreational flights. No official connection has been established between the two Monday incidents.
