The first officer aboard a United Airlines flight that collided with a light pole during landing at Newark Liberty International Airport last month noticed the aircraft’s low approach but didn’t have sufficient time to request an aborted landing, federal investigators revealed Thursday.
Crew members aboard the May 3 flight arriving from Venice, Italy, reported hearing a distinct “thump” sound and experiencing a “mild jolt” moments before the aircraft touched down, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings.
The first officer remembered telling the pilot “you are still slow and a little low” during the aircraft’s descent. He then looked outside again and thought the plane was flying too low, though it was nearly ready to land.
Initially, law enforcement authorities reported the aircraft had directly struck a bakery truck’s roof, injuring the driver slightly. However, Thursday’s findings clarify that debris from the damaged light pole, rather than the aircraft itself, struck a vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike, cracking its windshield and piercing the trailer.
The investigation provides the initial account from the flight crew’s perspective, though it doesn’t pinpoint exactly why the aircraft approached so low or offer prevention recommendations. Those details won’t be available until the NTSB issues its complete findings, expected next year.
The preliminary report reveals that the flight crew received instructions to prepare for landings on three separate runways while approaching the airport, with minimal time for preparation between changes.
The findings also confirm that light pole debris, not the aircraft directly, damaged the truck traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike. The truck’s windshield suffered damage and its trailer was punctured, but investigators found no tire marks on either the cab or trailer.
The Boeing 767 successfully completed its landing despite receiving “substantial” damage to its body and slash marks on one landing tire, the NTSB noted. All passengers and crew aboard the flight, numbering more than 200, escaped injury.
Motorists regularly traveling that section of Interstate 95 near Newark airport typically observe aircraft flying low overhead as they prepare for landing.
Dashboard camera footage from the bakery delivery truck captured the incident. The recording shows the driver singing contentedly before glancing outside with growing concern as the jet engines’ sound intensifies. Seconds later, part of the aircraft appears in his side window.
Aviation safety specialist Jeff Guzzetti suggested Thursday’s findings indicate the captain faced difficulties from strong winds and a shortened runway.
During the approach, the pilot informed investigators he “got fast” while turning the aircraft against the headwind, according to the report. The pilot reduced power to adjust as wind gusts created “moderate turbulence.”
The runway where the aircraft landed measures 6,726 feet, making it the airport’s shortest. Controllers typically direct flights to this runway only during strong wind conditions like those present that afternoon. Air traffic control informed pilots that wind gusts reached 31 mph at the time.
