Drones Force Temporary Ground Stop On Newark Airport Arrivals
Jan. 22, 2019, 6:45 p.m.
Further, the FAA says that drones are not allowed to be flown over 400 feet or 30 minutes after sundown.
Stock image of drone and airplane
Arriving flights to Newark Airport were temporary prevented from landing on Tuesday because two drones were spotted flying above Teterboro Airport, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The drones were flying at 3,500 feet above the airport; Teterboro Airport is in class D airspace up to 2,500 feet, and above that, in class B airspace, which means air traffic control would need to grant permission for anyone—or anything—to fly in that space. Further, the FAA says that drones are not allowed to be flown over 400 feet, or 30 minutes after sundown.
Just landed at Newark. Our @united flight had to circle because of stopped takeoffs and landings due to nearby drone activity. Time to come up with technology to remotely shut down these drones #EWR
— Brett Sosnik (@BrettSoz) January 22, 2019
Looks like @EWRairport is under a FAA ground stop due to reported drone activity on final near the airport. pic.twitter.com/ijTNZ2H72k
— Andrew W. Trull (@AndrewTrull) January 22, 2019
If you’re flying a drone near EWR right now, could you ground it and have a sandwich or something? You just shut down all arrivals.
— marcusowens (@marcusowens) January 22, 2019
That said, @DJIGlobal will be happy to assist @EWRairport and/or @FAANews with any investigation of these claims. This is exactly why we developed AeroScope, which identifies and monitors DJI drones in flight, so authorities know whether they're chasing a Phantom or a phantom.
— Adam Lisberg (@adamlisberg) January 22, 2019
The ground stop was issued at 5:30 p.m. Incoming flights resumed shortly afterwards, but there may be residual delays for tonight's arrivals as some flights to Newark were delayed from taking off as well.
@United says "minimal" impact on its @EWRairport operations to this point from reported drone activity in the area. $UAL #airlines #drones
— justinbachman (@justinbachman) January 22, 2019
Normal #EWR operations have resumed after arrivals were briefly held by the FAA due to reports of drone activity north of the airport earlier this evening. We’re coordinating with the FAA & fully supporting all federal law enforcement authorities as they investigate this incident
— Newark Liberty Airport (@EWRairport) January 23, 2019
Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Gatwick Airport near London last December over reports of drone sightings near the airport. Now that airport is conducting "drone drills."
According to the FAA, "Generally, drone operators should avoid flying near airports because of other air traffic. It is very difficult for other aircraft to see and avoid a drone while flying, and drone operators are responsible for any safety hazard their drone creates in an airport environment." NJ enacted new limitations related to drone usage last year, such as, "No drinking and droning. No flying drones in the way of police or firefighters. No using drones for help in hunting animals," but essentially the law states that if you violate FAA rules, you could be prosecuted for disorderly conduct in the third or fourth degree.
Reporting by Danny Lewis and Jake Dobkin
