The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings on a harrowing incident at Newark Liberty International Airport last month, concluding that a United Airlines captain was operating the aircraft at dangerously low speed and altitude during the final approach to landing.
The May 3, 2026 accident involved a Boeing 767 arriving from Venice, Italy, which struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike adjacent to the runway. The collision damaged a tractor-trailer truck traveling below, with the driver sustaining minor injuries. None of the 231 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft were injured during the incident.
Dramatic dashcam footage from the truck captured the terrifying moment as the passenger jet passed mere feet above the vehicle's cab. The video shows the aircraft's landing gear clearing the truck by an alarmingly narrow margin, followed by the sound of the light pole striking the tractor-trailer.
According to the NTSB's 11-page preliminary report, the flight from Venice proceeded normally until the descent phase. The situation became complicated when the flight crew encountered multiple runway changes. Initially planning to land on runway 4R, the crew was redirected to a different runway before ultimately being assigned to runway 29.
During the gusty approach, with the captain at the controls and the first officer monitoring flight instruments, investigators documented a critical breakdown in airspeed management. The NTSB report states that as the aircraft descended, the airspeed began to decay. The first officer recalled warning the captain, stating "hey you are slow," followed moments later by "you are still slow and a little low."
Despite these warnings, the captain maintained that the airplane was in a safe position to land. The captain acknowledged hearing the first officer call out "airspeed slow," but proceeded with the approach. Just before touchdown, the captain heard a thump, while the first officer felt a mild jolt as they neared the runway threshold.
The aircraft crossed over the New Jersey Turnpike at a perilously low altitude of just 19 feet above the ground. Post-flight inspection revealed the severity of the collision, with three punctures discovered on the fuselage and slash marks found on one of the landing gear tires.
In response to the accident, United Airlines has taken corrective action by reminding its pilots landing at Newark Liberty International Airport to utilize the visual glideslope indicators positioned next to the runway. These indicators are designed to ensure safe obstruction clearances during approach and landing.
When questioned about the NTSB report and whether the captain involved remains on active flight status, a United spokesperson declined to provide information, telling NPR that the airline did not have anything to share.
The incident highlights the critical importance of adherence to approach procedures and crew resource management, particularly during challenging landing conditions. The NTSB's final investigation is expected to be completed within a year, which will provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors that contributed to this dangerous approach and may result in additional safety recommendations for operations at Newark Liberty International Airport.
