The pilots of United Airlines Flight 169, which clipped a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, knew they were flying too low but couldn't correct their altitude in time, according to a preliminary NTSB report. The Boeing B767-424ER was just 18–19 feet above the busy highway when it struck the 15-foot light post on May 3.
Key Takeaways
United Airlines Flight 169 struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport. The crew knew they were flying too low but couldn't correct their altitude in time, according to an NTSB report.
- United Airlines Flight 169 was just 18–19 feet above ground level when it struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike
- The first officer warned the captain that the aircraft was 'still slow and a little low'
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including three punctures to its fuselage, while a tractor-trailer driver below suffered minor injuries from falling debris
- All 231 passengers and crew deplaned safely without injuries
- United reminded pilots to use visual glideslope indicators at Newark
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 5 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude At Impact | Broad Agreement | 18–19 feet above ground level | |
| Time Of Incident | Broad Agreement | around 2 p.m. | |
| Flight Origin | Broad Agreement | Venice, Italy | |
| Truck Involved | Broad Agreement | Schmidt Bakery truck | |
| Number Of Passengers And Crew | Broad Agreement | 231 passengers and crew unharmed |
Altitude At Impact
Broad Agreement18–19 feet above ground level
Time Of Incident
Broad Agreementaround 2 p.m.
Flight Origin
Broad AgreementVenice, Italy
Truck Involved
Broad AgreementSchmidt Bakery truck
Number Of Passengers And Crew
Broad Agreement231 passengers and crew unharmed
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The flight originated from Venice, Italy, and was traveling to New Jersey when it struck the pole and a Schmidt Bakery truck during its descent at around 2 p.m. Dashcam video captured the moment the aircraft hit the bakery truck. All 231 crew members and passengers were unharmed, and the plane landed safely following the incident.
The first officer called out 'Hey you are slow' and later 'You are still slow and a little low', but the captain felt they were in a safe position to land. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including three punctures on its fuselage, while the tractor-trailer driver below suffered minor injuries from falling debris.
The NTSB report reveals that the flight's approach was changed multiple times before landing. The captain heard a thump, and the first officer felt a mild jolt just before touchdown, while rear flight attendants reported hearing a loud bang.
The 231 passengers and crew deplaned safely without injuries. Following the incident, United reminded its pilots to use visual glideslope indicators at Newark to ensure safe obstruction clearances. The final NTSB investigation is expected to take about a year.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.