Close calls in the cockpit: Pilots report increased drone encounters near airports

For air travelers, the idea of sharing airspace with unmanned drones might feel like a plot from a science fiction movie. But the reality is closer than many realize. Recent reports show a worrying increase in near-miss incidents between commercial planes and drones at airports across the United States.

Pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals are increasingly reporting encounters with drones that put air travel at risk. Data from NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), a system where aviation personnel can anonymously report safety concerns, reveals over 1,000 drone-related incidents. These reports paint a clear picture: drones are becoming a more frequent-and potentially dangerous-presence in our skies.

Harrowing Close Calls

One general aviation pilot shared a nerve-wracking experience. While approaching Cross City Airport (CTY), their aircraft struck an object initially thought to be a bird. However, a post-flight inspection revealed a peculiar hole in the wing.

“There was this three-to-five-inch hole and no blood,” the pilot reported. “We quickly realized that we had most likely hit a drone.”

Another commercial pilot landing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) recounted a similar situation. “We heard the previous aircraft report a drone sighting,” the pilot said. “As we approached the area, I saw it too. The drone was larger than expected, and it passed about 100 feet above and 300 feet to the right of our wing.”

Thankfully, in these specific instances, no evasive maneuvers were required to avert a disaster. However, the increasing frequency of such encounters is raising serious concerns.

A secretary’s transparency pledge

United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has taken a particularly strong stance on the matter. “Remember how the last administration was silent about the drone fiasco?” Duffy tweeted recently. “We are taking a different approach: radical transparency!”

In a Fox News segment, Duffy expressed his concerns about the potential misuse of drones. He emphasised that the FAA is conducting tests on new surveillance systems in New Jersey. The goal is to proactively detect drones, reinforcing the severity of the issue for national security.

Duffy’s comments followed a period of increased public alarm. In late 2024, there were thousands of reports of drone sightings across the US. While some dismissed these as harmless incidents, Duffy clearly sees them as a significant risk.

Discerning drones from the stars

In December 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, FAA, and Department of Defense (DoD) issued a joint statement to address public concerns. The statement noted that there are over 1 million lawfully registered drones in the US.

“The FBI had received more than 5,000 reports about drone sightings, but after technical data and tips examinations, they include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law-enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the statement read.

The agencies concluded that there was no evidence of anything anomalous. They assessed that the alleged sightings had not posed any safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the region.

Global concerns

The threat posed by drones in civilian airspace is not confined to the United States. In August 2023, an Emirates Airbus A380 narrowly avoided a collision with a drone. According to the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), the upper part of the number two slat on the right wing was severely damaged.

That’s why authorities are vigilant about drone activity near airports. In December 2024, the Boston Police Department arrested two men for allegedly flying drones dangerously close to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

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