Overview
- Pilots reported the close call on Friday when a United Boeing 737 on final approach to Newark said on air‑traffic control audio, “We almost hit a drone.”
- United Flight 1513 landed safely with 106 passengers and five crew and no reported injuries after the sighting.
- The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident and reviewing pilot reports and radar and ATC records.
- FAA data show about 100 drone sightings near U.S. airports each month and 319 pilot reports through March this year with only eight requiring evasive action and one runway crash report.
- Officials and lawmakers are pushing for better detection and counter‑UAS tools even as airports test sensors and prosecutors note it is hard to identify and stop individual illegal operators.