United jet copilot realized flight was low just before colliding with light pole, report reveals
A recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed light on a serious incident involving a United Airlines passenger jet that occurred during its landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3. The aircraft, a Boeing 767, struck a light pole while descending, raising concerns about landing protocols and pilot decision-making.
During interviews following the incident, the copilot acknowledged recognizing that the plane was approaching the runway at an unusually low altitude. However, he stated that he did not react quickly enough to signal a go-around procedure before the plane made contact with the light pole. Eyewitnesses aboard reported feeling a sudden “thump” and a “mild jolt” at the moment of impact. The initial findings indicated that debris from the light pole, rather than the aircraft itself, hit a truck traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike, resulting in minor injuries to its driver.
The NTSB’s preliminary report, released recently, marks the first detailed account of the events leading up to the landing incident. While the findings provide insights into the crew’s perspective during the approach, they do not pinpoint a specific cause for the low altitude approach nor do they proffer immediate recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. A comprehensive final report is expected in the forthcoming year.
It was clarified that the truck’s windshield was damaged, but there was no evidence of tire marks on either the truck’s tractor cab or trailer, thus indicating the nature of the collision. Meanwhile, the Boeing 767 sustained substantial damage, particularly to its fuselage, and one of its landing tires was also found to have slash marks. Fortunately, none of the 200 passengers aboard the aircraft were injured.
As is common for the area surrounding Newark Airport, drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike are accustomed to witnessing low-flying planes just prior to landing. A dashboard camera from the truck captured moments leading up to the collision, providing a vivid account of the incident. The recording illustrates the driver appearing unconcerned until the moment the aircraft comes into view.
Experts speculate that unfavorable weather conditions, including wind gusts up to 31 mph, may have affected the pilots’ landing strategy. Multiple runway assignment changes prior to landing contributed to the difficulties faced by the flight crew. The ultimate runway utilized is notably shorter and intended primarily for specific weather scenarios, which further complicated the landing approach.
In light of these factors, there are calls for increased scrutiny of landing protocols, particularly in challenging weather conditions. United Airlines has opted not to provide any comments on the report or the incident at this time.
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