United 767 Hits Light Pole at Newark, No Injuries

A United Airlines flight struck a light pole and damaged a tractor-trailer while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport last month, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board. The incident occurred on May 3 as Flight 169, a Boeing 767 carrying 231 people, arrived from Venice, Italy.

The NTSB report states the aircraft was flying too slow and too low during its final approach. The captain was manually flying the plane in gusty wind conditions while the first officer monitored the instruments. As they descended, the first officer recalled warning the captain multiple times that the aircraft was slow and a little low. The captain stated he heard the callouts but believed the plane was in a safe position to land.

Moments before touchdown, the captain reported hearing a thump and the first officer felt a mild jolt. The jet crossed over the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike at just 19 feet above the ground, where its landing gear struck a light pole. Debris from the pole struck a southbound tractor-trailer, damaging its windshield and trailer. The truck driver sustained minor injuries. The pole also struck a Jeep. No one aboard the aircraft was...