United Boeing 737 MAX 9 Came Within 100 Feet Of A Drone On Final Approach To Newark

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 came within about 100 feet of a drone on final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Friday, 26 June 2026. The close call occurred around 5:20 p.m. local time as United Flight 1513, operating from Key West International Airport (EYW), descended for landing. The pilot told air traffic control that the aircraft “almost hit a drone,” describing it as a circular shape about three feet wide, with separation of roughly 100 feet beneath the jet. A United Express pilot later also reported seeing a drone at around 2,000 feet altitude. The FAA says there are around 100 drone sightings per month around U.S. airports, and drones are legally classified as aircraft in U.S. airspace. United reported the flight landed safely at 5:22 p.m. with 106 passengers and five crew, and no injuries.