In 2023, United Airlines aircraft were observed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. A specific flight from Venice, Italy faced scrutiny for safety concerns during its landing process. The meeting between the Boeing 767 and a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike raised red flags, prompting an investigation:

• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) analyzed the accident, noting that the plane flew too slow and too low as it prepared to land.
• The airplane struck a light pole, which subsequently hit a tractor-trailer truck, causing minor injuries to the driver. Fortunately, none of the 231 passengers or crew on the plane were hurt.
• A dashcam captured the moment the landing gear narrowly missed the truck’s cab, followed by the light pole getting hit.

The NTSB’s preliminary report, released shortly after the May 3, 2026 incident, sheds further light on the situation:

• The flight from Venice operated smoothly until its descent phase. Changes in the assigned runway during the landing might have contributed to the confusion.
• The captain managed the aircraft while the first officer kept an eye on the instruments in challenging, gusty weather conditions.
• Concerns were raised by the first officer about the decreasing airspeed and altitude during the approach. Despite these warnings, the captain considered the aircraft safely positioned for landing.
• The incident resulted in minor damage, evident through three punctures in the fuselage and slash marks on a tire.

United Airlines responded by reminding its pilots at Newark to utilize visual glideslope indicators to avoid such mishaps in the future.

While the NTSB’s final detailed investigation is still underway, United Airlines has chosen not to comment on the pilot’s current status or the preliminary findings.