Crews from ExpressJet, Northwest Airlink and two United Airlines flights reported the sightings, which all happened just after noon, at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 feet.
Advertisement
A drone was spotted near Newark Liberty worldwide Airport over the weekend, the FAA reported.
The planes were and eight to 13 miles away from the airport before experiencing what has become an increasingly common distraction for pilots.
Airline pilots at one of the nation’s busiest airports reported seeing a drone while attempting to land on Sunday, CBS New York reported.
None of the flights had a problem landing on Sunday, but the increase in drone reports near airports is becoming an increasing problem, according to the AP.
Fortunately, all four flights landed safely and without issue.
The Federal Aviation Authority is drafting guidelines about using drones, though rules regarding hobbyists and other flying devices say that they can’t be flown higher than 400ft in the air. It is unsafe and illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft anywhere near a manned aircraft, and violations may result in fines of up to $25,000 and criminal charges.
Advertisement
The agency has faced tremendous pressure to approve such an expansion of nonmilitary drone use from companies such as Amazon, who have said the technology can be used to make speedier online deliveries.
