An inquiry has been initiated following a Boeing 767 aircraft colliding with a street light while landing at a bustling US airport. The United Airlines Boeing 767 hit a street light on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Federal authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the incident that occurred just before the flight from Italy touched down. Witnesses captured the moment on video from a moving car on the turnpike, expressing shock at the collision.
Despite the impact with the light, United Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400 arriving from Venice, landed safely at approximately 2 pm local time, with no injuries reported among the 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board. The aircraft, with registration N77066, was descending towards Newark airport when it clipped the street light near the heavily trafficked New Jersey Turnpike. The incident has raised concerns about the flight’s altitude during the final descent.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are swiftly investigating the cause of the low-altitude contact. An NTSB lead investigator is expected to arrive at Newark on Monday, while United Airlines has been instructed to secure and analyze the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) promptly. A preliminary report outlining the details is anticipated within 30 days.
In a statement, United Airlines addressed the incident, stating that during the final approach into Newark International Airport, Flight 169 made contact with a light pole. The aircraft safely landed, taxied to the gate without incident, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The maintenance team is assessing the aircraft damage, and an investigation into the incident’s cause is underway.