Story perspectives

United 737 Skims Drone Near Newark, FAA Launches Probe

6/28/2026

Summary

United Drone Near-Miss

United Airlines Flight 1513, a Boeing 737-700, nearly collided with a drone that passed 100 feet below the aircraft at 5:20 PM near Newark on 26 June 2026.
The plane landed safely at 5:22 PM, deplaned all passengers without injuries, and prompted an FAA investigation noting over 100 drone sightings near U.S. airports.
FAA violations can carry fines up to $75,000 and jail time, a penalty highlighted after a United 737-800 struck a drone near San Diego in April 2026.

Summary

Rosen Pushes Counter-UAS

Sen. Jacky Rosen told a Senate Commerce Subcommittee that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are developing counter-UAS technologies.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) logged 319 pilot-reported drone sightings through March 2026, with only eight prompting evasive maneuvers.
Major airports are installing detection systems and have created drone-free zones at Newark Airport for World Cup events 15 miles away in East Rutherford.

History

Historical Context

After a 2015 Air New Zealand Boeing 777 struck a hobby drone over Christchurch, the Civil Aviation Authority fined the airline NZ$100,000 and spurred the U.S. FAA, United Airlines and the Department of Homeland Security to draft mandatory drone-identification rules, an effort estimated to cost the industry $1 billion. Earlier sightings, such as a 2013 Alitalia pilot’s near-miss at JFK, had already highlighted the growing collision risk.

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United Drone Near-Miss

United Airlines Flight 1513, a Boeing 737-700, nearly collided with a drone that passed 100 feet below the aircraft at 5:20 PM near Newark on 26 June 2026.
The plane landed safely at 5:22 PM, deplaned all passengers without injuries, and prompted an FAA investigation noting over 100 drone sightings near U.S. airports.
FAA violations can carry fines up to $75,000 and jail time, a penalty highlighted after a United 737-800 struck a drone near San Diego in April 2026.

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