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FBI investigating drone spotted near New York airport
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03/06/13 11:07 AM ET
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is investigating a drone that was reported by a pilot as he landed his plane at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The pilot, who was flying Alitalia Flight 608, told air traffic controllers he spotted the drone as he approached JFK airport on Monday.
The FBI said the drone came within 200 feet of the airplane when it was three miles away from the JFK airport. The incident occurred when the airplane was flying at an altitude of 1,735 feet, the agency said.
“The FBI is asking anyone with information about the unmanned aircraft or the operator to contact us,” Special Agent in Charge John Giacalone said in a statement. “Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew.”
The authorized used of domestic drones is currently being studied by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Congress ordered the FAA to move toward allowing drones to fly alongside commercial aircraft in both the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the funding bill that was passed for the aviation agency earlier last year.
The FAA is looking for locations for a pilot program that would allow unmanned aircraft to fly in six test sites to review its potential impact on commercial aviation.
The laws call for the FAA to allow unmanned aircraft by 2015.
