NTSB Reveals United Airlines Jet Struck Pole During Landing

WHO:

CNN - United Airlines Flight 169 was involved in the incident.

CNN - The aircraft was a Boeing 767.

CNN - There were more than 200 passengers and 11 crew members on board.

CNN - The captain and first officer were flying the plane.

WHAT:

CNN - The NTSB found that a tire from the plane’s landing gear and the underside of the plane collided with a pole.

CNN - The NTSB reported that the plane also struck a tractor-trailer, but the damage to the truck was caused by debris from the pole.

CNN - The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

CNN - The pole also struck a Jeep, according to the New Jersey State Police.

ABC News Business - The NTSB's preliminary report indicated that the flight was "normal until the descent."

NPR - The NTSB stated that the final investigation is expected to be complete within a year.

CNN - The United Airlines flight struck a light pole while landing.

CNN - The aircraft was 19 feet above the New Jersey Turnpike when it struck the pole.

CNN - The plane was traveling at more than 160 miles per hour during the approach.

CNN - The NTSB reported that the plane remained below the normal glide path for roughly the final three-quarters of a mile before the runway.

CNN - The plane collided with a pole, resulting in three punctures to the lower left side of the back of the airplane.

CNN - The damage to the aircraft was described as "substantial."

CNN - The first officer warned the captain that the aircraft was "slow" and "a little low" on approach.

CNN - The pilot reported hearing a "thump," while the first officer felt a "mild jolt."

WHERE:

CNN - The incident occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport.

CNN - The plane was landing on Newark’s Runway 29, which is located less than 400 feet from the New Jersey Turnpike.

CNN - The aircraft crossed over the New Jersey Turnpike during its approach.

WHEN:

CNN - The incident happened in May.

CNN - The plane was arriving from Venice, Italy.

WHY:

CNN - The captain stated he "got fast" while turning the airplane into the headwind, which contributed to the incident.

HOW:

ABC News Business - The captain stated he heard the first officer call out "airspeed slow" but felt the airplane was in a safe position to land.

CNN - The captain turned off the autopilot and auto-throttles before landing.

CNN - The captain pulled the power levers back to compensate for the speed and wind conditions.

(UPDATED June 4, 2026 23:23 UTC)

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that a tire from the plane's landing gear collided with a pole, and the aircraft also struck a tractor-trailer, with damage to the truck caused by debris from the pole. The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the pole additionally struck a Jeep, as reported by the New Jersey State Police. The NTSB's preliminary report indicated that the flight was normal until the descent, and the final investigation is expected to be complete within a year.

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(UPDATED June 4, 2026 21:30 UTC)

A United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767 with over 200 passengers and 11 crew members on board, struck a light pole while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport. The aircraft was traveling at more than 160 miles per hour and was just 19 feet above the New Jersey Turnpike when it collided with the pole, resulting in substantial damage to the lower left side of the plane. The captain, who had turned off the autopilot and auto-throttles, reported feeling a "thump" during the incident, which he attributed to getting fast while turning into the headwind.