Terrifying moment plane carrying 106 passengers 'almost hits drone' while landing

Terrifying moment plane carrying 106 passengers 'almost hits drone' while landing A pilot's chilling warning of "we almost hit a drone" has emerged after a passenger plane carrying 106 people came within around 100ft of the object while preparing to land. Passengers on board a plane carrying 106 people had a terrifying near miss after the aircraft came within around 100ft of a drone while preparing to land. The near miss involved an United Airlines Flight 1513 as it approached Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after flying from Key West, Florida on Friday. In air traffic control, the pilots can be heard saying, “We almost hit a drone.” The object was described as circular, roughly three-feet wide, and “about 100 feet below us.” The Boeing 737, which was carrying 106 passengers and five crew members, landed safely around 5.30pm and no injuries were reported. In a statement, United Airlines said: "United Flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting prior to arriving in Newark. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate." Shortly afterwards, another pilot flying into Newark also reported seeing a drone at around 2,000ft, according to air traffic control communications. The Federal Aviation Administration has since launched an investigation into the incident. The FAA receives more than 100 reports of drones operating near airports every month. Flying a drone in controlled airspace without authorisation is illegal in the US and can carry significant penalties, including criminal charges.