A Drone? A Really Big Bird? A UFO? What Did Alitalia Pilot See Near JFK?
Updated 8:31 a.m., March 5, 2013
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A mystery in the sky over New York City on Monday got one commercial airline pilot's attention.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a report from the pilot who claimed he saw an unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft while on his final approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The pilot, who was at the controls of Alitalia Flight AZA 60, a Boeing 777, spotted what may have been a drone about four to five miles southeast of the airport at an altitude of 1,500 feet while on final approach to Runway 31 Right at about 1:15 p.m.
Alitalia Pilot Claims To See Drone Near JKF
The pilot is heard telling air traffic controllers on radio calls recorded by the website LiveATC.net, "We saw a drone, a drone aircraft."
But a man named Fyezil who drives an airport shuttle van told 1010 WINS' John Montone he often sees kids flying model aircrafts in the area.
"I see it many times," he said. "Sometimes, I see them flying so high."
The Alitalia flight was not forced to take evasive action and landed safely minutes later, officials said.
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