NTSB Says United Flight 169 Hit Light Pole 15 Feet Above Turnpike During Newark Landing
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 4
NTSB Says United Flight 169 Hit Light Pole 15 Feet Above Turnpike During Newark Landing
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 4
Summary
NTSB's preliminary report found United Flight 169 struck a light pole—not a truck—while flying just 15 feet above the New Jersey Turnpike on approach to Newark on May 3.
Multiple late runway changes, 30-knot gusts and manual flying preceded the incident, and the first officer twice warned the captain the Boeing 767 was slow, adding on the second call that it was low.
Seconds before touchdown, the first officer thought the jet was too low but did not process it in time to call for a go-around; all three pilots then felt a thump before landing.
The light-pole strike damaged a bakery truck and injured its driver, while the 24-year-old 767 later showed damage during a post-flight walk-around and has not flown since.
United said the aircraft landed safely and no one onboard was hurt; the federal investigation remains ongoing.