A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 came within 100 feet of a drone while on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Friday afternoon. The close call happened at around 5:20 PM local time as United Flight 1513 from Key West International Airport (EYW) was on its final approach to EWR.

The pilot told air traffic control (ATC) that the aircraft “almost hit a drone” passing around 100 feet beneath it, while another United Express pilot also reported seeing a drone at around 2,000 feet altitude moments later. While operating drones around commercial airports is a federal offense, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says there are around 100 drone sightings per month around US airports.

United 737 MAX Close Call With Drone Near Newark

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According to ATC audio from ATC App, the pilot of UA1513 reported the drone as a “circular shape” and said it looked about “three feet wide,” stating that it had passed beneath the Boeing 737 MAX 9 with a separation of around 100 feet. Fortunately, the aircraft avoided a midair collision and continued with its landing, touching down safely at EWR at 5:22 PM.

The flight took off from Florida’s Key West Airport at 2:37 PM on Friday, landing in Newark less than three hours later. According to United, there were a total of 106 passengers and five crew members on board the flight, with no reported injuries. Moments after its close call with the drone, a pilot of a United Express service (operated by GoJet Airlines) also sighted a drone, but it is not reported to have come close to it.

Under US law, a drone is legally classified as an aircraft operating in the National Airspace System (NAS), and flying it around unauthorized areas — like airports or military bases — is a federal crime. Those caught doing so are subject to various punishments, including jail time and/or a civil fine of up to $75,000 per violation. Simple Flying contacted United Airlines for comment on this incident and received the following response:

“United flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting prior to arriving in Newark. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate.”

Over 100 Drone Proximity Events Per Month Reported

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Amid a rise in commercially available drone products, the FAA has been toughening its stance on drone activity. The agency has launched an investigation into United’s near-miss, having recently updated its policy to mandate legal action when drones “endanger the public” or “violate airspace restrictions.”

According to the FAA’s latest drone sighting data, there were more than 320 reports over a three-month period from January to March 2026. These range from general sightings to events requiring evasive action, highlighting the difficulties many pilots have faced when flying through affected areas. Due to the altitude limits of most drones, the vast majority of drone encounters happen during the takeoff/climb or approach/landing phase of flight, which are the most critical phases of flight.

Simple Flying recently reported on the difficulties authorities have faced with drones during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) revealed that over 300 drones have been seized after flying around World Cup stadiums and related events.

How Dangerous Are Drones To Commercial Aircraft?

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Although most recreational drones are relatively small and light, they can still pose a significant threat to a commercial jet. A head-on collision with a drone can cause extensive damage to the nose or windshield, while an engine ingestion could potentially lead to a catastrophic uncontained engine failure.

Direct drone hits have been relatively rare in the aviation industry, but a rise in sightings is nonetheless a significant concern. In April, a United Boeing 737-800 reportedly struck a drone at around 3,000 feet while on approach to San Diego (SAN), although a post-flight inspection found no sign of damage. In another case from 2023, an Emirates Airbus A380 suffered damage to a wing after it collided with a drone while landing in Nice (NCE).