14 DAY TRIAL // The FBI is currently investigating a drone sighted as an Alitalia flight was preparing to land at JFK airport in New York.
A passenger on board flight 608 spotted the aircraft flying over Brooklyn on Monday, March 4, and described it as remote-controlled and not handled by man. According to Gizmodo, the pilot of the plane has confirmed the account, prompting investigations by the FAA and the FBI.
“We saw a drone, a drone aircraft,” he radioed in to air traffic controllers.
The incident occurred at 1:15 p.m., as the plane approached Runway 31 at JFK. At that time, the mysterious, unmanned object was flying at 1,500 feet (457 m). It was spotted in close proximity to JFK, approximately 4-5 miles (6.5-8 km) away.
According to the FAA, an investigation is underway into the owner of the small aircraft. The Alitalia plane had a safe descent, and no other issues were reported in relation to the incident.
“The FAA is investigating a report from the pilot of an international airline that he saw a small, unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft while on final approach to Runway 31 Right at John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 1:15 p.m. today,” The FAA wrote in a statement.
The FBI have also issued a release, noting that they have no information about the aircraft and are looking into it.
“The FBI is asking anyone with information about the unmanned aircraft or the operator to contact us. [...] Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew,” Special Agent in Charge John Giacalone says.
Their statement mentions that the drone was flying 200 feet (60 m) from the Alitalia airplane, and the passenger was able to describe it in detail. He depicts it as a black, 3-foot (90-cm) wide aircraft equipped with four propellers.