United 737 Avoids Midair Collision Near Newark

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A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 narrowly avoided a collision with a privately operated Piper Cherokee Arrow III while on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on August 8, 2025.

United flight UA3930, operating from Indianapolis International Airport to Newark, was descending through 5,000 feet when the crew received a TCAS Resolution Advisory (RA), prompting an immediate climb to 5,300 feet. The pilots later reported that the other aircraft came within about 200 feet, although flight tracking data indicated a vertical separation of roughly 500 feet.

ATC recordings show the United jet, registration N37456, had been instructed to maintain 5,000 feet during its approach. The Piper Cherokee, registration N525VB, was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) and descending through the same airspace. As the two aircraft converged, the United crew executed evasive maneuvers before being directed to descend to 2,500 feet for a landing on runway 22L.

According to the United pilots, the incident occurred roughly 10 miles west of Newark at 4,000 feet. Following landing, they reported the event to Newark Tower and were given a contact number, in line with post-incident procedures.

The FAA is investigating the loss-of-separation incident, reviewing radar data, pilot statements, and ATC recordings. While official playback suggested greater separation than the crew perceived, pilots emphasized that TCAS alerts take priority over ATC radar estimates in real-time safety scenarios.

Commercial airliners like the Boeing 737-900 carry TCAS collision avoidance systems, but many general aviation aircraft, such as the Piper Cherokee, may not—heightening reliance on ATC and pilot vigilance in shared airspace.

Here’s the detailed communication transcript between United pilots and Newark Air Traffic Controller, as flagged by You Can See ATC:

  • ATC: Victor Bravo, start VFR descent to 4,500.
  • Pilot (Warrior 425VB): Starting descent, 425 Victor Bravo. Approach 120.15, 5VB.
  • ATC: United 3930, right turn heading 070, maintain 5,000.
  • Pilot (United 3930): Heading 070, maintaining 5,000.
  • Pilot (United 3930): Confirmed — heading 050, 5,000.
  • ATC: United 3930, that’s heading 050, maintain 5,000.
  • ATC: United 3930, turn right heading 080.
  • Pilot (United 3930): Heading 080… United 3930, right turn heading 120.
  • Pilot (continues): …United 3930, we just had a TCAS RA.
  • ATC: United 3930, speed is your discretion. Turn right heading 180, maintain 3,000.
  • Pilot: Heading 180, maintaining 3,000, speed discretion, United 3930.
  • ATC: United 3930, reduce speed, maintain 3,000 — correction — descend to maintain 2,500.
  • Pilot: Down to 2,500, United 3930.
  • ATC: United 3930, right turn… left turn, contact tower 118.3.
  • Pilot: Left turn, contacting tower, United 3930.
  • Pilot (to Tower): Newark Tower, United 3930, inbound for runway 22L.
  • Tower: United 3930, Newark Tower, wind 160 at 6, runway 22L cleared to land.
  • Pilot: Cleared to land 22L, United 3930. Just want to give you a heads-up — we responded to a TCAS RA about 10 miles west of the pattern, time 1741 Zulu.
  • Tower: Roger.
  • Tower asks: Where was it?
  • Pilot: About 10 miles west of the pattern at time 1741, 4,000 feet.
  • Pilot: That plane came in within 200 feet of us.
  • Tower: United 3930, exit at Echo and hold short right.
  • Pilot: Exiting at Echo, holding short right, United 3930.
  • Tower: Sorry about that. United 3930, cross to your right at Echo, contact Ground 121.9. She’ll have a phone number for you — be ready to copy.
  • Pilot: Crossing right at Echo, will copy the number, United 3930.

Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=United+Airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com

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