00:20Just seconds away from disaster, a packed commercial airliner, a rogue drone, and a terrifying
00:27moment in one of America's busiest air corridors.
00:31A United Airlines flight coming in to land at Newark Liberty International Airport narrowly
00:37avoided what could have been a catastrophic mid-air collision after the crew spotted a
00:42drone directly in its flight path.
00:45We almost hit a drone right there at Gimmie, United 1513, about 100 feet below us.
00:50Right where you're at now?
00:52Exactly.
00:53Okay, and United 1513, do you get a look at it? Do you know the color or how much propellers
01:00or anything like that, whatever they're called?
01:02Yeah, it was like a circular shape, and that was about it. It looked like it was about three
01:10feet wide.
01:10The incident unfolded on Saturday as the aircraft made its final descent toward Newark. According
01:17to preliminary reports, the pilot of the United Airlines flight spotted an unmanned drone flying
01:23at roughly 2,500 feet, just 8 miles from the runway. That altitude is well within the approach
01:30path used by commercial aircraft preparing to land.
01:34Realizing the danger, the pilots immediately alerted air traffic control and carried out
01:39an evasive maneuver to avoid the object. The quick reaction likely prevented a potentially
01:45serious accident. Fortunately, there was no impact. The aircraft continued its approach
01:50and landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport without further incident. United Airlines
01:56later confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe. In a statement, the airline said
02:02safety remains its highest priority and that the flight landed normally. Passengers described
02:08the moment as brief but unsettling. Some said they felt the aircraft suddenly change direction
02:13before landing safely. Many praised the calm professionalism of the cockpit crew and cabin
02:19staff throughout the incident. Authorities say the drone was operating illegally inside
02:25restricted airspace surrounding the airport. Federal regulations prohibit unauthorized drone
02:31operations near major airports, because even a small unmanned aircraft can pose a significant
02:37threat to commercial jets. Unlike birds, drones contain hard components, batteries and metal parts
02:44that can severely damage aircraft engines, windshields or flight control systems. The Federal Aviation
02:51Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have both launched investigations into
02:57the incident. Investigators are now working to determine who was operating the drone and whether
03:02criminal charges should follow. Officials say unauthorized drone activity remains one of the fastest-growing
03:09aviation safety concerns in the United States. More than 2,000 drone-related incidents were reported
03:15nationwide during 2025 alone. Many occurred near airports, where aircraft are flying at relatively low
03:23altitudes during takeoff and landing. Federal law requires drone operators to stay well clear of controlled
03:30airport airspace unless they receive specific authorization. Violators can face civil penalties of up to
03:36$30,000, along with possible criminal prosecution depending on the circumstances. As drones become
03:43increasingly common for recreation, photography and commercial use, aviation authorities continue to warn
03:50that irresponsible flying places thousands of lives at risk. Safety experts say even a small drone striking a
03:58passenger aircraft at high speed can have devastating consequences. The latest near-miss near Newark serves
04:05as another reminder of the growing challenge of safely integrating drones into already crowded skies.
04:12Investigators are reviewing radar information, air traffic recordings and surveillance footage in an effort
04:18to locate the drone operator. No arrests have been announced so far, but officials are urging anyone with information
04:25or anyone who witnesses unauthorized drone activity near airports to immediately contact authorities.
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