United Airlines passenger jet 'strikes light pole during landing' as investigation underway

Authorities are investigating an incident in which a passenger jet landed struck a light pole. A United Airlines passenger jet was landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, May 3, when it struck a light pole on the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike. The incident involving United Airlines Flight 169 took place at about 2pm. The Boeing 767 aircraft landed safely , arriving in the US from Venice, Italy, the Federal Aviation Administration said. United Airlines said in a statement that the flight “came into contact with a light pole” on its final approach to Newark. “The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured." United said its maintenance team was evaluating damage to the aircraft. The crew have been removed from service while it conducts a “rigorous” flight safety investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement posted on X that it had opened an investigation of the incident. An investigator from the board will arrive in Newark on Monday and the NTSB has directed United to provide the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder for the investigation. A preliminary report was expected within 30 days.