United Airlines Flight Incident at Newark: An Investigation Overview
In a recent incident at Newark Liberty International Airport, a United Airlines flight arriving from Venice, Italy, encountered a precarious situation that has prompted an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The flight, which involved a Boeing 767, was reported to have been flying at a dangerously low altitude and speed during its approach to landing.
The aircraft inadvertently struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike, which runs parallel to the airport runway. This collision resulted in damage to a tractor-trailer truck, leaving the driver with minor injuries. Fortunately, none of the 231 passengers and crew members on board were harmed.
Dashcam footage captured the dramatic moment when the plane flew just above the truck, with the landing gear narrowly missing the cab before the light pole impacted the vehicle. The NTSB’s preliminary report outlines the sequence of events leading up to the incident on May 3, 2026.
The report highlights that the flight’s descent was routine until the crew was instructed to change their landing runway multiple times, ultimately landing on runway 29. The captain was in control of the aircraft, while the first officer monitored the instruments. During the final approach, the first officer alerted the captain, stating, “hey you are slow,” followed by, “you are still slow and a little low.”
Despite these warnings, the captain believed the aircraft was in a safe position for landing. However, he reported hearing a “thump” just before touchdown, and the first officer described a “mild jolt” as they approached the runway threshold. The jet, flying at just 19 feet above the turnpike, sustained three punctures on its fuselage and slash marks on one of its landing gear tires.
In response to the incident, United Airlines has reminded its pilots to utilize visual glideslope indicators for safe obstruction clearances during landings at Newark. When asked about the NTSB report and the captain’s current status, a United spokesperson stated, “We don’t have anything to share.”
The NTSB anticipates concluding its investigation within a year, providing further insights into the incident and potential safety recommendations.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
