F.A.A. Investigates Drone Encounter at Newark Airport

The FAA is investigating a drone encounter involving a United Airlines Boeing 737 arriving from Florida at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday evening. Agency officials said the crew reported a drone in the airspace at about 5:20 p.m. during descent toward EWR, and the aircraft landed safely afterward. United stated the flight, with more than 100 passengers and five crew members, was able to disembark without issue. The incident falls amid heightened scrutiny of how the federal government manages drone activity, including past episodes in which rogue drones disrupted airport operations and threatened flights. The FAA says drone operators cannot fly unauthorized drones near airports in controlled airspace and must follow altitude and other rules even with authorization. It also notes it receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month and cited the broader regulatory gaps despite proposed restrictions and recent policy updates.