The copilot of a United Airlines passenger jet recognized the low approach of the aircraft as it landed at a New Jersey airport last month, but did not call for an aborted landing in time, according to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Thursday.
The flight, which took place on May 3, originated from Venice, Italy. As it neared touchdown at Newark Liberty International Airport, crew members reported hearing a loud noise and feeling a subtle jolt. The first officer recalled saying, “You are still slow and a little low” as the plane descended. He then realized the plane was approaching too low but didn’t respond quickly enough to call off the landing.
This initial report marks the first insight into the crew’s perspective during the incident. Despite providing key details, the report does not identify a specific cause for the low approach; the NTSB reserves such conclusions and recommendations for its final report, anticipated next year. Notably, the report confirmed that debris from a light pole—not the aircraft itself—struck a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. Initial reports mistakenly attributed the damage to a direct hit by the plane.
The truck suffered windshield damage and a punctured trailer, yet no tire marks were found on the vehicle. The Boeing 767 landed safely despite the significant damage, including slashes on one of its landing tires. Fortunately, all onboard—more than 200 individuals—emerged unharmed.
Regular commuters on Interstate 95 near Newark airport may notice aircraft descending low over the highway as they prepare to land. Dashcam footage from the truck involved showed the driver singing before a concerned glance at the passing jet. A piece of the plane briefly appeared in view before the impact occurred.
The NTSB report indicates the pilot chose a shallow runway approach against the established flight path. D. Blake Stringer, director of the Center for Aviation Studies at Ohio State University, commented on this, suggesting it is unusual for planes to strike nearby structures.
According to Steve Arroyo, a retired United Airlines captain, the pilots seemingly failed to adequately plan for the specific requirements of the runway used. The jet’s runway assignment changed three times before the landing, finally touching down on the airport’s shortest runway, an option typically reserved for strong wind conditions such as those encountered that day.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti noted the challenging wind conditions, with gusts reaching up to 31 mph. An air traffic controller informed the pilots of this challenge, which contributed to difficulty controlling the descent. As the plane turned into the headwind, the pilot experienced increased speed and responded by adjusting the power levers amidst turbulent conditions.
United Airlines declined to comment on the incident.