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Over the weekend, pilots flying a NetJets Bombardier Global 6500 from New York to Colombia reported to air traffic control staff that they had experienced a near miss while climbing out of the ‘Big Apple.’ The private jet is said to have had a close call with a “large silver object,” as detailed in ATC transmissions that have been doing the rounds online. However, it managed to continue to its destination.
The aircraft involved has also since completed another flight, suggesting that it did not actually hit the object in question and sustain any damage. While nothing came of this particular incident, it is indicative of a wider trend that, in recent weeks, has seen multiple airlines collide or come close to hitting objects inflight. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and how it compares to other recent incidents.
A Close Call
As detailed in the video clip embedded below, the Bombardier Global 6500 private jet operating NetJets flight NJE426K was flying south-southwest near the border between New York State and New Jersey when the near miss occurred. The plane was climbing through an altitude of 15,800 feet when the unidentified object “flew down the right side of the aircraft,” with the pilot saying that “it just missed us.”
The crew went on to tell ATC staff in the area that, while the incident occurred too quickly for them to be able to tell exactly what the object was, they could tell that it was smaller than an aircraft, but “definitely bigger than a drone.” Needless to say, this represented a rather eventful start to their flight down to Colombia, but, as we shall now explore, they were able to continue their journey as planned.
Simple Flying has reached out to NetJets for further information regarding this incident. We will update our coverage upon receiving a statement.
The Aircraft & Flight Involved
According to data made available by Flightradar24, NetJets flight NJE462K took off from Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York, at 12:00 PM local time on Saturday, July 4. Its destination was Matecaña International Airport (PEI) in Pereira, Colombia, where it landed five hours and 11 minutes later at 4:11 PM local time. The near miss occurred around ten minutes after departure.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Global 6500 that bears the registration CS-GLJ, then continued on a south-southwesterly course. It hugged the East Coast of the United States of America and cruised at a maximum barometric altitude of 45,000 feet, or a GPS altitude of 47,500 feet. Once over Cuba, it turned left onto a more direct southbound heading, and began its descent upon crossing from Panama into Colombia.
Simple Flying Quiz
What Aircraft Type Are You?
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The Explorer
Cessna 172
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Boeing 737
Reliable, efficient, and always in demand. You get the job done without fuss, keeping things moving for everyone around you. You’re the backbone of any operation — proven, dependable, and trusted the world over.
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The Icon
Airbus A380
You think big. More space, more comfort, more presence — you believe in doing things properly and on a grand scale. When you walk into a room, people notice. You’re built for the long haul, and you do it in style.
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The Pioneer
Concorde
Speed, ambition, and a refusal to accept limits define you. Every second counts, and you’d rather break the sound barrier than wait in line. You were ahead of your time — bold, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable.
According to present fleet data from Planespotters.net, CS-GLJ, the Bombardier Global 6500 private jet that operated this flight, is a Portuguese-registered aircraft that flies for NetJets Europe. It is 5.1 years old, was delivered to NetJets Europe in December of 2021, and, of course, features a VIP seating layout. It has since operated one more flight, continuing from Pereira to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) on Sunday.
What Are The Types Of Services Offered by NetJets?
The operator provides passengers with a multitude of options.
There Have Been Several Similar Incidents In The US In Recent Times
Rather alarmingly, this is not the first time in recent weeks that an aircraft flying in the United States of America has experienced a close call or reported mid-air collision with a rogue mid-air object. Indeed, as reported by Simple Flying at the time, a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 came within 100 feet of a drone while landing at Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) from Key West Airport (EYW) at the end of June.
Shortly afterward, a more serious incident befell a JetBlue Airbus A321 that was landing at New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at the end of a flight from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This particular plane reported hitting a drone while on approach to JFK, prompting the FAA to open an investigation. JetBlue also briefly took the jet out of service for an inspection.
