Description

Based on the photographer's stated location (West Brookfield Park, Staten Island), date (Dec 14th), time (20:47EST/0147UTC), and direction (West) she would be facing New Jersey and would have seen several planes just a few miles away on their landing or take off approach to Newark Liberty (EWR).

From her untouched images (https://www.facebook.com/groups/552059654373970/posts/566681579578444…), they very much look like a commercial jet. In fact I assumed it was when I first viewed the pictures. But some say it is missing features such as the tailfin and windows. If you look closely at the "straight out of the camera" picture she uploaded (shown on the right with the reddish glow to the lights), you can actually make out a faint tail light, windows and even winglets. Since these pictures are most likely that of a United plane, the livery on their craft are a dark blue which includes tailfins, winglets, and engines. This makes them somewhat camouflaged against the night, esp given the lighting conditions.

In fact here are actual pictures of the suspected aircraft that she snapped a photo of. The most likely candidate is the UAL1894 flight, which is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registry #: N47291. Or RPA3536 Embraer E175LR , registry #: N770YX See for yourselves at flighttracker24 (https://www.flightradar24.com/2024-12-15/01:47/4x/UAL1894/385a3b1e).

In summation this seems to be a United plane coming in for a landing at EWR with certain features (tailfin and winglets) camouflaged by their dark coloured (blue) livery and the overall night/lighting conditions.

edited to fix formatting