NTSB Reveals First Officer's Warning Before United Flight Incident

WHO:

CBS News - United Airlines flight 169 crew, including the captain and first officer.

CBS News - National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators.

WHAT:

CBS News - United Airlines flight 169 struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike.

CBS News - Debris from the light pole impacted a passing tractor-trailer.

CBS News - The plane landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport.

CBS News - The first officer warned the captain that he was "slow and a little low" during the approach.

CBS News - The NTSB characterized the damage to the plane as "substantial," with three punctures to the lower left aft fuselage.

WHERE:

CBS News - Incident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike.

CBS News - The plane was approaching runway 29 at Newark Liberty International Airport.

WHEN:

CBS News - The incident occurred on May 3, 2026, at 1:50 p.m.

WHY:

CBS News - The first officer indicated the plane was slow and low, which contributed to the incident.

HOW:

CBS News - The plane's landing gear did not make contact with the truck; the impact was due to debris from the light pole.

CBS News - The crew changed the runway approach three times before landing.

(UPDATED June 5, 2026 13:54 UTC)

United Airlines flight 169 struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike, causing debris to impact a passing tractor-trailer, although the plane landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board reported substantial damage to the aircraft, with three punctures to the lower left aft fuselage, and noted that the first officer had warned the captain about being "slow and a little low" during the approach. Despite the incident, the plane's landing gear did not make contact with the truck, and the crew had changed the runway approach three times before landing.