United Airlines Jet Incident at Newark: Initial NTSB Findings

The copilot of a United Airlines flight that hit a light pole while landing at a New Jersey airport last month noticed the aircraft’s low approach. However, he didn’t realize it in time to call for an aborted landing, according to a recent report by investigators.

The flight from Venice, Italy, to Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3 experienced a loud “thump” and a “mild jolt” just before touching down, as noted by crewmembers in the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) initial report.

During the descent, the first officer recalled telling the pilot, “you are still slow and a little low.” He then observed the plane being low but about to touch down.

This report offers the first insights into what occurred inside the cockpit but doesn’t pinpoint why the plane descended so low. It also doesn’t include recommendations for preventing future incidents. These details are expected in the NTSB’s final report, likely to be released next year.

The report clarifies that debris from the light pole, rather than the plane itself, struck a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Initially, law enforcement officials indicated that the aircraft hit the top of a bakery truck, causing minor injuries to the driver. However, the report states that although the truck’s windshield was damaged and its trailer punctured, there were no tire marks on the tractor cab or trailer.

Despite the “substantial” damage to its fuselage, the Boeing 767 landed safely. One of its landing tires showed evidence of slash marks, yet none of the more than 200 passengers suffered injuries.

Regular drivers on Interstate 95 near Newark airport commonly see planes approaching low across the highway. Dashboard camera footage from the truck captured the moment of impact, showing the driver’s reaction as part of the plane appeared out of the window.

The pilot’s approach was below the standard flight path, according to D. Blake Stringer, director of the Center for Aviation Studies at The Ohio State University. He commented, “It’s not surprising that the airplane clipped infrastructure near the runway.” He explained that the recommended action is to steepen, not shallow out, the descent angle if the intended flight path cannot be followed.

Steve Arroyo, a former United Airlines captain and safety expert, noted that the pilots might not have adequately prepared for the landing. They had enough time for additional approach preparations, he stated.

Before touching down, the runway assignment was changed three times, ultimately sending the plane to the shortest runway, used typically in strong winds, which were present during the incident.

Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti remarked that the strong winds, gusting up to 31 mph, posed a challenge. The pilot reported “getting fast” while maneuvering into the headwind and adjusted the power levers due to moderate turbulence.

United Airlines has not issued a comment.

Contributions by Josh Funk, Associated Press transportation reporter in Omaha, Nebraska.