NEW YORK— A United Airlines (UA) Boeing 737 came dangerously close to striking a drone during its final approach into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Friday evening. The flight, which originated from Key West International Airport (EYW), carried 106 passengers and five crew members before landing safely.
The pilots of United Airlines Flight 1513 reported the near-miss to air traffic controllers around 5:20 p.m. local time. A second drone sighting was also reported by a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines (G7) at the same airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into both incidents at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Drone Spotted Feet Below United 737 Cockpit
According to air traffic control audio reviewed by CNN, the captain of Flight 1513 alerted controllers that the aircraft had narrowly avoided a collision with an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The pilot described the object as circular in shape, roughly three feet in diameter, and flying approximately 100 feet below the descending Boeing 737.
United Airlines confirmed the sequence of events in a statement issued to media outlets on Saturday.
The carrier said Flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting before arrival in Newark, landed safely, and disembarked passengers normally at the assigned gate. No injuries were reported among those onboard, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Shortly after the first report, a second flight crew operating under the United Express brand also flagged a drone in the area.
The GoJet Airlines (G7) pilots told controllers they observed an unmanned aircraft at roughly 2,000 feet while on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Whether the two sightings involved the same device remains under review by federal investigators.
FAA Investigation And Regional Drone Activity
The Federal Aviation Administration receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports across the United States every month. Between January and March of this year, pilots logged 319 drone sightings nationwide, of which only eight required evasive action by flight crews.
Despite the rising frequency, confirmed collisions remain extremely rare, with the only documented runway incident involving a drone occurring at San Carlos Airport (SQL) in California.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) sits about 15 miles from East Rutherford, New Jersey, where matches for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup are being staged at MetLife Stadium. Federal authorities have imposed strict No Drone Zone restrictions around tournament venues, though officials have not linked Friday’s incident to the event.
Past Drone Incidents In The New York Region
Drone disruptions near commercial airports in the New York and New Jersey region have been recorded repeatedly over recent years. In March, pilots at both LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) reported multiple unmanned aircraft sightings during arrival and departure phases, according to FAA data.
A similar pattern emerged in April 2019, when drone activity near Teterboro Airport (TEB), located approximately 17 miles from Newark, forced temporary disruptions to inbound and outbound traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The proximity of multiple major airports within a tight geographic radius makes the airspace particularly sensitive to unauthorized drone operations.
Legal Consequences For Unauthorized Drone Operators
The Federal Aviation Administration has reiterated that flying drones near aircraft, helicopters, or airports is both dangerous and illegal under federal law. Operators caught violating restricted airspace face substantial civil fines, potential criminal charges, and possible jail time depending on the severity of the incident.
The agency continues to urge recreational and commercial drone users to consult its B4UFLY mobile application and other public resources before operating in or around controlled airspace. Investigators have not yet identified the operator responsible for the Newark sighting.
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