This is from an internet search for close encounters in the last year.
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Drone Near Misses Reported by Airliners in the Last 12 Months
Based on the latest Associated Press analysis of the U.S. aviation safety database, drones accounted for nearly two‑thirds of all reported near midair collisions involving commercial passenger planes at the country’s top 30 busiest airports in 2024 CBS News+1. These incidents occurred during the last 12 months of the dataset and represent only a fraction of the total close calls, since the database relies on voluntary pilot and aviation worker reports.
While the exact total number of drone‑related near misses in the past year is not specified in the provided sources, the data show that drones were the dominant cause of such events in 2024, surpassing other causes in percentage terms since 2020 CBS News+1. The incidents range from drones passing within 50 feet of a jet’s wing to flying just 300 feet from a cockpit window during landing CBS News+1.
Key points from the 2024 data:
Percentage of near misses: ~66% involved drones CBS News+1.
First reports: 2014; number of encounters spiked in 2015 CBS News.
Trend: Highest drone‑related near miss rate since 2020, when air traffic was lower CBS News.
Examples: Newark (Aug 2024 – 50 ft from wing), Miami (Nov 2024 – 4,000 ft altitude), San Francisco (Nov 2024 – <300 ft from cockpit) CBS News+1.
In summary, while the precise count of drone near misses in the last 12 months is not given, the available data confirm that drones were the leading cause of such incidents in 2024, with hundreds of such events reported at major U.S. airports.”
Are drones even allowed to be flown aroind airports?
Im not sure how dangerous to aircraft that gitting one while both in flight really is.
Newark, where you have to fly high enough to avoid light poles and drones.
Are we talking a Predator-sized drone or a dinky WalMart drone?
EWR is a turd floating in a porta potty in a sewer. Worst airport in the world.
AVIATION PING!.............
Not to play, I’ll up you,” I have s true story.
A long time ago, I was flying an approach to EWR.
With only about a mile to go I saw a seagull, in front of me, trying to avoid hitting us. He was, “yanking and banking,” to avoid us. IIt hit just below the Co Pilot’s window. There was a noise when we hit it but no other problem.
As I landed, there was a smell in the cockpit and, I’m sure the cabin. The bird had hit the nose, a slat on the wing and been sucked into the engine on the right side of the tail. (B727)
What had happened was the bird was consumed by the engine and the heat “cooked” it and it became part of the Air conditioning system which uses ambient air the is compressed before being cycled to a cooler temperature.
On the post landing walk around inspection, we could trace the path of the Gull into the engine.
NOTE: Drones are not to be flown higher than 400 feet above the local elevation!