United Airlines Boeing 737 reports drone sighting during Newark landing

A United Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 106 passengers and five crew members reported a potential drone sighting while descending toward Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday evening. The pilot said the object was circular, roughly three feet in diameter, and was flying about 100 feet below the aircraft at approximately 5:20 p.m.

In a separate incident, a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines reported seeing a drone at roughly 2,000 feet during its approach to the same airport. United confirmed that flight 1513 landed safely and passengers deplaned without incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which logs more than 100 drone reports near airports each month, opened an investigation into the Newark sighting. The agency noted that, through March of this year, pilots reported 319 drone sightings nationwide, with only eight requiring evasive action, and that confirmed collisions remain rare.

The FAA reiterated that operating drones near aircraft, helicopters, or airports is illegal and can result in fines, criminal charges, or imprisonment.