Commercial Fixed Wing
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Unauthorized Flight Operations (UAS); Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was seated at XX on approach to EWR. We were going in and out of large clouds. I saw what at first appeared to be a balloon just to the left; under wing level. I watched as it climbed. I could see that it was not a balloon; but a large drone. We were under 10;000 feet; as the captain had signaled such. The drone was yellow and black; black rotors. I estimate that it was 50-75 yards away. I took a time stamp on my phone about 10 seconds later. It was XX37Hrs Eastern Time. The pilots had left the aircraft before I could make my way to the front of the plane.
Passenger on an air carrier flight was looking through the window while the aircraft was on approach. The passenger saw a large UAS approximately 150 feet away. The UAS began to climb and the passenger was unable to inform the flight crew.