A United Airlines passenger jet struck a light pole while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon, prompting an investigation by federal authorities. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Incident Details
The incident involved United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767 aircraft arriving from Venice, Italy. The plane struck a light pole on the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike at approximately 2 p.m. on May 3. Despite the collision, the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate without further incident, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Airline Response
United Airlines confirmed in a statement that the flight “came into contact with a light pole” during its final approach to Newark. The airline noted that the aircraft landed safely, and passengers and crew disembarked normally. The maintenance team is currently evaluating the extent of the damage to the aircraft.
The crew members have been removed from service while United conducts a rigorous flight safety investigation. The airline is cooperating fully with authorities.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on X that it has opened an investigation into the incident. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive in Newark on Monday. The board has directed United to provide the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for analysis. A preliminary report is anticipated within 30 days.
This incident adds to a series of recent aviation events under scrutiny, though no injuries or major disruptions occurred in this case.
