NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Crews on four commercial flights spotted a drone while preparing to land at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The pilots were required to make evasive maneuvers as a result of Sunday's drone sighting. The planes were between 2,000 and 3,000 feet in the air and eight to 13 miles away from the airport.
The FAA has received a significant increase in reports of drones flying nearby planes as they have become a more popular item.
The FAA said flying a drone "anywhere near" an airplane can bring criminal charges and fines up to $25,000.
However, aviation safely consultant John Goglia said the FAA should be conducting tests like they do with bird strikes to determine whether drones threaten an aircraft's safety.