Sequence & Resolution
Event Date05/03/2026
Level
Accident
CategoryObstacle Strike
Flight PhaseApproach
Technical Issue Details
•A United Airlines Boeing 767-400 (N77066) performing flight UA169 from Venice to Newark with 231 occupants on board was on final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport's runway 29 when it flew at an unusually low altitude over the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike.
•During the low-altitude approach, the aircraft's landing gear and fuselage made contact with a highway light pole and a commercial truck.
Outcome / Handling
•The impact severed the light pole, which collapsed onto a passenger vehicle, and caused minor injuries to the truck driver from shattered windshield glass.
•No injuries were reported among the 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board the aircraft.
•The aircraft landed safely on Newark's runway 29 shortly after the collision, and was met by emergency services for an initial inspection.
Current Status
•The aircraft sustained significant damage to its undercarriage and was temporarily grounded for a detailed structural inspection.
•The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched a joint investigation to determine why the flight operated below the standard approach path.
Sourcewww.cbsnews.com
Flight Information
Flight NumberUA169
Landing Runway29 (EWR)