United Airlines flight has near-collision with drone while landing at Newark Airport

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A United Airlines jet had a close call at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Friday after pilots reported nearly striking a drone during landing.

The incident happened around 5:20 p.m. as the Boeing 737, carrying 106 passengers and five crew members, was descending toward the airport after a flight from Key West, Florida.

“We almost hit a drone,” the pilot said in air traffic control audio obtained by CNN. The pilot described the device as circular, about three feet wide, and flying “about 100 feet below us.”

Around the same time, the pilot of a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines also reported spotting a drone at about 2,000 feet while approaching Newark, the outlet reports.

United confirmed the incident in a statement to the New York Post, saying, “United flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting prior to arriving in Newark. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate.”

The United flight, carrying 106 passengers and five crew members from Key West, nearly collided with a drone Friday while descending toward Newark Liberty International Airport (Getty Images)

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

The Independent has contacted United and GoJet for comment.

More follows