Drones pose increasing risk to airliners near major US airports
WASHINGTON, April 21, (AP): A commercial airliner was on final approach to San Francisco's international airport in November when the crew spotted a drone outside the cockpit window. By then it was too late "to take evasive action,' the pilots reported, and the quadcopter passed by their windshield, not 300 feet away.
A month earlier, a jetliner was flying at an altitude of 4,000 feet near Miami's international airport when its pilots reported a "close encounter' with a drone. In August, a drone came within 50 feet of clipping the left wing of a passenger jet as it departed Newark International Airport. The incidents were all classified as "near midair collisions' - any one of which could have had catastrophic consequences, according to aviation safety experts.
They were also not isolated encounters. An Associated Press analysis of an aviation safety database reveals that drones last year accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near midair collisions involving commercial passenger planes taking off and landing at the country's top 30 busiest airports. That was the highest percentage of such near misses since 2020, when air traffic dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first reports of near misses involving drones were logged in 2014, the AP found. The number of such encounters spiked the following year. Over the last decade, drones accounted for 51% - 122 of 240 - of reported near misses, according to AP's analysis. Passenger jets have long been subject to risks around airports - whether from bird strikes or congested airspace - as was made clear by the January collision between a military helicopter and commercial jet near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.
The threat from drones has become more acute in the last decade as the use of quadcopters and remote-controlled planes has exploded in popularity. The FAA estimates that Americans are operating more than a million drones for recreational and commercial purposes. "If you have the money, you can go on the internet and buy a pretty sophisticated drone that can reach altitudes they really have no business being at,' said William Waldock, a professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
These are 5 things the UN does that you may not have known
UNITED NATIONS, June 19, (AP): The United Nations' vast system has tackled everything from delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to providing crucial peacekeeping operations in conflict zones since it was established in the wake of World War II. As the international body closes in on 80 years, questions about its relevancy and efficiency have sharpened from supporters and critics alike. Recent U.S. cuts to foreign assistance and the reevaluation of humanitarian contributions by other countries have forced a reckoning for the U.N. The organization has long sought to highlight its unique role as the meeting place of global leaders, with an ambitious mandate to prevent another world war. Staffers, however, say the U.N. does more than respond to civilians' needs in war zones and debate resolutions in the Security Council. "The things that are not on the radar of anyone, that nobody sees every day, that's what we do everywhere, in more than 150 countries,' said Diene Keita, executive director for programs at the U.N.'s population agency. Here are five things the U.N. does that you may not have known: U.N. agencies facilitate programs worldwide focused on women, tied to education, financial literacy, employment opportunities and more. Among the most sensitive services provided are those for victims of gender-based violence. In Chad, the U.N. Population Fund operates several rehabilitation programs for women and girls recovering from that trauma. One of them, Halima Yakoy Adam, was taken at age 15 to a Boko Haram training camp in Nigeria, where she and several other girls were forced to become suicide bombers. Adam managed to escape with severe injuries, while the others died in blasts. Through U.N. programs on the islands of Lake Chad, Adam received health and reproductive services as well as vocational training. She is now working as a paralegal in her community to assist other women and girls. "We are not created to stay,' Keita said of U.N. agencies' long-term presence. "So this is embedded in what we do every single day. We have that humility in knowing that we make a difference, so that people do not need us the next day.' Resettling refugees in Mexico Images of refugees at U.S. and European borders show the migration crisis around the world. Often overlooked are the refugees who are resettled in communities outside American and European cities, ones that resemble their home countries and cultural upbringings. Since 2016, the U.N.'s refugee agency has supported the integration of more than 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in Mexico. They arrived in southern Mexico and were relocated to industrial cities after being screened and granted asylum by the government. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees provides transportation, orientation and access to health, education and other social services. More than 650 companies have agreed to train and employ these people, whose labor has generated a $15 million annual contribution to the Mexican economy, according to the U.N. According to U.N. estimates, 94% of these working-age refugees have secured formal employment within their first month in the country and nearly 90% of school-age children have enrolled in school. The U.N. program also provides what staffers describe as clear pathways to Mexican citizenship. " Mexico has become a country where people forced to flee can find the stability they need to restart their lives with dignity,' Giovanni Lepri, the top U.N. refugee agency official in Mexico, said in March. "A strong asylum system and legal framework allows an effective integration of asylum-seekers and refugees.' Eliminating exploding remnants of war U.N. agencies are present throughout various phases of war, from delivering food, water and medical supplies in an active military zone to the iconic "Blue Helmets' - the military personnel deployed to help countries transition out of conflict. Less attention is paid to efforts made after the dust has settled. One of those initiatives, the United Nations Mine Action Service, was established in 1997 to facilitate projects aimed at mitigating the threat posed by unexploded munitions in countries years - and sometimes decades - after war. The U.N. estimates that on average, one person is killed or injured by land mines and other explosive ordnance every hour. In January, a 21-year-old man was harvesting olives in a Syrian orchard with two friends when they noticed a visible mine on the ground. Panicked, they tried to leave, but one of them stepped on a land mine and it exploded, amputating one of his legs above the knee. A month later, in Cambodia, a rocket-propelled grenade believed to be more than 25 years old killed two toddlers when it blew up near their homes. The U.N. program aims to work with communities in Syria, Afghanistan and Nigeria to safely locate and remove these remnants of war while providing education and threat assessments. Since its inception, the U.N. says more than 55 million land mines have been destroyed and over 30 countries have become mine-free. Teaching refugee girls self-defense in Kenya In a refugee camp in northwest Kenya, dozens of girls 12 to 18 have gathered every Saturday at a women's empowerment center to learn self-defense through a Taekwondo class. The program, launched by the U.N.'s Population Fund last year, has focused on providing an outlet for girls who have either been victims of gender-based violence or are at risk of it after fleeing conflict zones in countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia and Congo. The coaches are locals who understand the cultural and political dynamics their students face while living in a camp that is home to nearly 300,000 refugees. The goal is to use sports activities to create safe spaces for women and girls to discuss various issues like period poverty, abuse and domestic conflict. The program, which the U.N. has replicated in Egypt and elsewhere, is funded by the Olympic Refuge Foundation. Sex education by monks in Bhutan Topics surrounding sex and reproductive issues were considered taboo for centuries in Buddhist communities. U.N. staffers have spent the past decade working with religious leaders in Bhutan and other countries in Asia to "desensitize' the topics they believe are crucial to a healthy society. The campaign has led more than 1,500 nuns from 26 nunneries to hold discussions with community members around sexual and reproductive health and the prevention of gender-based violence. Now, at least 50 monks are trained to provide counseling services on these topics to students across Bhutan's 20 districts. The U.N. says these partnerships, which began in 2014, have contributed to a decrease in maternal mortality, an increase in contraception use, and better reproductive care for pregnant women.
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Education ministry restarts summer school clubs after COVID suspension
Program offered free of charge • Only public school students eligible for enrollment KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education, through its Department of Educational Development and Activities, announced on Monday the relaunch of summer school clubs, set to run from July 1 to August 31. The program, which has been on hold since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is restarting for the first time in five years. In a press statement, the ministry said the move comes 'in line with directives from Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, who is keen to provide educational, recreational, and enrichment opportunities that allow students to make the most of their summer break.' The initiative also aims to 'foster community participation, enhance students' skills, and support their development in a safe and stimulating environment.' The program is part of what the ministry described as a 'broader strategic vision' to make meaningful use of students' free time. The goal is to 'help refine their talents and develop their abilities within a supportive educational setting that promotes positive values and the concept of time well spent.' A total of 25 free summer clubs will operate across Kuwait's educational districts. The clubs will offer a wide range of activities, including sports such as football, handball, basketball, swimming, and bowling; cultural activities like debate clubs; and scientific and technical programs, including robotics. The program will also feature 'purposeful recreational activities that strike a balance between learning and fun.' Registration opens Monday and will be available electronically via the student's account on the Microsoft Teams platform through the ministry's website. Activities are scheduled for the evening hours, from 4 pm to 8 pm, allowing 'flexibility and accommodating diverse family schedules.' The ministry also announced the allocation of two specialized clubs for students with disabilities, saying the decision ensures 'an inclusive educational environment that caters to their needs and supports their development in an atmosphere of respect and empowerment.' The program targets male and female students in general education across elementary, intermediate, and secondary levels who are enrolled in Ministry of Education schools. According to the ministry, all activities 'will be supervised by specialized trainers across various fields,' with content 'tailored to meet a wide range of interests and needs.' It stressed that 'all activities are offered free of charge, reflecting the ministry's commitment to providing fair and equal educational opportunities for all.' The ministry concluded by saying that the summer clubs are 'an extension of the ministry's year-round educational role,' and that they aim to 'reinforce a culture of continuous learning and national belonging through activities that connect students with community values and institutions in a flexible educational environment that inspires creativity and unlocks their potential.' — KUNA
Arab Times
12-06-2025
- Arab Times
Kuwait mourns victims of Air India crash
KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (Agencies): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah on Thursday sent a cable to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, offering sincere condolences and solace over the victims of the Air India flight crash, which claimed the lives of scores of victims. Similarly, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah on Thursday sent a cable to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, expressing sincere condolences and solace over the victims of the Air India flight crash, which claimed the lives of scores of victims. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also sent a cable to Indian President Murmu, expressing sincere condolences and solace over the victims of the Air India flight crash. Earlier, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday voiced sympathy and solidarity with India over the crash of an Air India flight with 242 passengers on board. In a press release, the ministry expressed sincere condolences and solace to the victims' families, the leadership, government and people of India over this painful tragedy. An Air India passenger plane bound for London with more than 240 people on board crashed into a medical college after takeoff Thursday in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad, officials said, in one of India's worst airline disasters in decades. At least one person survived the crash, Dr. Shriq M with the Ahmedabad hospital told the news agency Press Trust of India. The Associated Press could not independently verify the information. Black smoke billowed from the site where the plane crashed and burst into flames near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city of more than 5 million and the capital of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. Firefighters doused the smoking wreckage of the plane, which would have been fully loaded with fuel shortly after takeoff, and adjacent multistory buildings with water. Charred bodies lay on the ground and parts of the fuselage were scattered around the site. Indian army teams were assisting civil authorities to clear debris and help treat the injured. A video on social media showed the jet slowly descending as if it were landing. As soon as it disappeared out of view behind rows of houses, a giant fireball filled the sky. The AP was able to verify the video by matching up the flight path of the plane from the runway with the crash site and the nearby residential area. At the crash site, the tail cone of the aircraft with damaged stabilizer fins still attached to it was lodged near the top of one of the buildings. In a social media post, Modi called the crash 'heartbreaking beyond words' and said 'my thoughts are with everyone affected.' City police chief G.S. Malik told the AP that the dead could include both passengers and those on the ground. 'Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained,' he said. Sambit Patra, a lawmaker from Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said Gujarat's former chief minister, Vijay Rupani, was among the dead. Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, said at least five students from the medical college were killed on the ground and 50 others were injured. Singh said some of them were in critical condition and many people are 'feared buried in the debris.' Air India said the flight bound for London Gatwick Airport was carrying 242 passengers and crew, with 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian aboard. The Boeing 787-8 crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38 p.m. (08:08 GMT), Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, told AP. This is the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. Boeing said it was 'working to gather more information.' India's aviation regulatory body said the aircraft gave a mayday call, signalling an emergency, but then did not respond to the calls made by the airport traffic control. Aviation consultant John M. Cox, the CEO of Safety Operating Systems, told the AP from Los Angeles that while the first images of the crash were poor, it appeared the aircraft had its nose up and was not climbing, which is one of the things that investigators would look at. 'At this point, it's very, very, very early; we don't know a whole lot,' he said. 'But the 787 has very extensive flight data monitoring - the parameters on the flight data recorder are in the thousands - so once we get that recorder, they'll be able to know pretty quickly what happened.' The wide-body, twin-engine aircraft was introduced in 2009, and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website. Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said that at the moment, 'our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.' 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,' he said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash 'devastating,' and British Cabinet minister Lucy Powell said the government will provide 'all the support that it can' to those affected by the crash. 'This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones,' she told lawmakers in the House of Commons. 'We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the government will provide all the support that it can with those in India and those in this country as well,' she added. Britain has very close ties with India. There were nearly 1.9 million people in the country of Indian descent, according to the 2021 U.K. census. Condolences also poured in from King Charles III, who said he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were 'desperately shocked' by the crash. 'Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations,' he said in a statement. The last major passenger plane crash in India was in 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 skidded off a hilltop runway in southern India, killing 21 people. The worst air disaster in India was on Nov. 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided midair with a Kazakhstan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state, killing all 349 on board the two planes. The crash comes days before the opening of the Paris Air Show, a major aviation expo where Boeing and European rival Airbus will showcase their aircraft and battle for jet orders from airline customers. Boeing has been in recovery mode for more than six years after Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max 8, plunged into the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. Five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max 8, crashed after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 157 passengers and crew members. Shares of Boeing Co. tumbled nearly 9% before trading opened in the U.S.
