United Airlines jet reports near-miss with drone during Newark approach

A United Airlines Boeing 737 en route from Key West to Newark reported a close encounter with a small drone as it descended toward the runway on Friday evening. The pilot told air traffic control, "We almost hit a drone," describing it as a circular object roughly three feet wide and about 100 feet below the aircraft. The crew observed the drone at approximately 5:20 p.m. Eastern time, and the plane touched down safely around 5:30 p.m., with all 106 passengers and five crew members disembarking normally, United said.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident. A second pilot on a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines also reported seeing a drone at roughly 2,000 feet near Newark at the same time, according to air traffic control audio.

The FAA notes that about 100 drone sightings are reported each month near U.S. airports, and 319 reports have been logged this year through March. Only eight of those incidents required pilots to take evasive action, and a single drone crash on a runway was recorded in California.

Regulators are increasing efforts to detect and deter unauthorized drone activity near airports. At a recent Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing, officials highlighted ongoing development of counter-UAS technologies by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, and industry leaders emphasized the need for comprehensive safety regulations.

Newark Airport, located near the World Cup venue in East Rutherford, has imposed strict drone restrictions during the tournament. The airport previously experienced disruptions from drone sightings in 2019, prompting further scrutiny of unmanned aircraft operations in the region.