Gulfstream G550 struck by unknown object at high altitude

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Gulfstream G550 struck by unknown object at high altitude

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Airbus A380 | Airbus

By Sky Industry News

Jan 9, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that a Gulfstream G550 business jet collided with an unidentified object at 27,000 feet off the Florida coast on December 11, 2024. This incident follows reports of unidentified drones flying over US military bases.

The FAA stated to AIN that the aircraft diverted to Palm Beach International Airport after "the pilot reported striking an object in Miami airspace." Simple Flying is seeking further comments from the FAA.

Details about the collision remain scarce. According to a report by the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), the Gulfstream G550, registered as N553RB, was en route from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to New York's Westchester County Airport when it had to make an emergency landing due to a midair collision with an unidentified object. Post-flight inspection revealed damage to the right engine cowling, suggesting contact with an unmanned aerial system (UAS). The flight carried three people.

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Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA), discussed this incident on social media and mentioned that a whistleblower contacted ASA regarding concerns over the event occurring in regulated Class A airspace without a flight plan or signal transmission from the object. Graves ruled out common objects like weather balloons or birds due to evidence pointing towards metal damage and emphasized that "major air safety events should be handled transparently."

Reports of mystery drones have been increasing, not only in the United States but also abroad. In November 2024, drones were spotted over US Air Force bases in the UK. In December 2024, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio temporarily closed its airspace due to drone activity.

These incidents highlight potential risks such as espionage and collisions with commercial flights. Unregistered drones pose challenges as they lack communication systems needed for tracking and response efforts.