- United Airlines flight 1513 reported a near-collision with a drone while landing at Newark Airport on Friday, according to the pilot's warning to the control tower.
- The drone was described as circular and approximately three feet wide, flying about 100 feet below the aircraft during its descent.
- The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. ET as the Boeing 737 was approaching Newark Liberty International Airport after a flight from Key West, Florida.
- The flight landed safely at 5:30 p.m. ET, and passengers deplaned normally at the gate, as confirmed by United Airlines.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, which is part of a concerning trend of drone sightings near airports.
- Drone operation near airports is prohibited, and the FAA has reported around 100 drone sightings a month near U.S. airports.
- This year through March, there have been 319 reports of drone sightings by pilots to the FAA, with only eight requiring evasive action.
- Collisions remain rare, with just one confirmed crash involving a drone on a runway at San Carlos Airport in California.
A United Airlines Boeing 737, carrying 106 passengers and five crew members, nearly collided with a drone while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday at approximately 5:20 p.m. ET. The pilot described the drone as circular and about three feet wide, flying about 100 feet below the aircraft.45
The incident was confirmed by United, which stated, “United flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting prior to arriving in Newark. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate.” This close call is part of a troubling trend, as the FAA reports around 100 drone sightings monthly near U.S. airports, despite strict regulations prohibiting drone operations in controlled airspace.
The FAA has received 319 reports of drone sightings by pilots this year through March, with only eight requiring evasive action. Notably, there has been just one confirmed incident of a drone crashing on a runway, at San Carlos Airport in California. The agency emphasizes that flying drones near airplanes, helicopters, and airports is both dangerous and illegal.1112
“A United pilot reported a near-collision with a drone while landing at Newark Airport, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. The FAA is investigating the incident as drone sightings near airports continue to rise.”
ABC7 New York
