The Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to law enforcement to be on alert for drones that could be used by terrorists after pilots at John F. Kennedy International spotted a third drone in as many days near the runway Sunday.
A pilot of a Shuttle America flight from Richmond, Virginia, spotted the drone on the left side of his plane as it approached the runway around 6 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The pilots in both incidents did not take any evasive actions, and the planes landed safely, CBS reported.
In response to the sightings, DHS issued a bulletin, warning that drones could be used by terrorists.
“The rising trend in UAS incidents within the National Airspace System will continue, as UAS gain wider appeal with recreational users and commercial applications,” the statement reads.
‘While many of these encounters are not malicious in nature, they underscore potential security vulnerabilities … that could be used by adversaries to leverage UAS as part of an attack,’ the statement reads.
It’s illegal to fly a drone within five miles of an airport.
Photo: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
Source: Washington Times