United Flight 169 low‑slow approach causes pole strike before Newark landing

On May 3 2026, United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767‑400 traveling from Venice, Italy, to Newark Liberty International Airport, descended at a low and slow speed. Shortly before touchdown on Runway 29, the crew warned that the aircraft was “still slow and a little low.” The plane struck a 15‑foot light pole about 18‑19 feet above the ground, sending debris onto a southbound tractor‑trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike. The truck driver suffered minor injuries; none of the 231 passengers and crew were harmed.

The aircraft landed safely, but sustained substantial damage, including three punctures in the left lower aft fuselage and damage to the No. 1 tire on the left main landing gear. The NTSB classified the incident as an accident and is reviewing cockpit voice and flight‑data recordings. United Airlines issued an operations alert and a pilot bulletin warning about “ducking under” visual glide‑path indications for short‑runway landings.