United Airlines Flight 169 strikes light pole near Newark, NTSB says

A preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) details the May 3, 2026 incident involving United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767‑400ER arriving from Venice, Italy. While on a visual approach to Newark Liberty International Airport’s shortest runway (Runway 29), the captain flew below the standard glide path. The first officer warned, “you are still slow and a little low,” but the aircraft continued descending.

The plane clipped a 15‑foot light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike just 19 feet above ground. Debris from the pole struck a tractor‑trailer, causing minor injuries to the driver. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including three punctures on the lower left aft fuselage and slash marks on a landing tire, but none of the 220 passengers, 3 pilots or 8 flight attendants were injured. The NTSB cited strong gusting winds and the runway’s lack of a precision ILS as contributing factors. United Airlines has issued an operational alert and a pilot bulletin warning against “ducking under” glide‑path indicators for future Newark arrivals. The final NTSB report is expected next year.