United 767 Strikes Light Pole While Landing Near Newark, NJ

In a preliminary report released Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a United Airlines Boeing 767 was “too slow and too low” on its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3, 2026. The aircraft, bound from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike just before touchdown, damaging a truck that was traveling on the highway. No pilot, passenger, or crew member sustained injuries, and the plane landed safely on runway 29.

The NTSB’s 11‑page report noted a series of near‑miss events: after the flight plan initially targeted runway 4R, the crew switched to an alternate runway and then to runway 29 without clear communication of the changes. When the jet began its descent, the captain’s airspeed began to decelerate, prompting the first officer to warn, “you are slow” followed shortly by, “you are still slow and a little low.” The captain, however, reported feeling the airplane was in a safe position to land.

Video footage from the aircraft’s dashcam captured the moment the plane passed over the Turnpike at just 19 feet. A thump was registered as the aircraft touched down, and the pilot heard a mild jolt. Near the threshold, the aircraft’s landing gear struck the pole, and the pole’s debris struck a tractor‑trailer, causing minor damage to the vehicle. The NTSB found no tire marks on the truck, confirming debris as the impact cause.

After the landing, investigators discovered three punctures on the lower left side of the fuselage and slash marks on one of the landing gear tires—damage consistent with an impact with an overhead obstruction. The pilot’s flight data confirmed the plane remained below the normal glide path for the final three‑quarters of a mile, a critical period where the aircraft should maintain a safe descent profile.

United Airlines has issued a reminder to pilots operating out of Newark to use the visual glideslope indicators beside the runway to maintain obstacle clearance. The flight was the only one with “moderate turbulence” reported in the final approach, and the New Jersey State Police noted wind gusts at up to 31 mph were affecting the field. The NTSB’s final investigative report is expected sometime next year.

While this incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to speed and altitude guidelines during final approach, no injuries on board and only minor damage to ground equipment demonstrate that crew proficiency and emergency response protocols were effective in avoiding a larger crisis. The investigation serves as a reminder to the aviation community that even well‑trodden airports can present unforeseen hazards if safe procedure execution is compromised.