United Airlines Flight 169
Aviation accident in Newark, New Jersey, US
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United Airlines Flight 169 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Venice, Italy, to Newark, New Jersey, United States. On May 3, 2026, the Boeing 767-400 flew exceptionally low over the New Jersey Turnpike during the short final phase of its approach to Runway 29 at Newark Liberty International Airport, striking a light pole which caused a traffic collision and striking a tractor-trailer with its landing gear.[1] Among the 221 passengers and 10 crew members, none were injured. The driver of the tractor-trailer was hospitalized with minor injuries.[2]
N77066, the aircraft involved in the incident, photographed in March 2026. | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Summary | Aircraft flew exceptionally low and struck a truck and pole while on approach, under investigation |
| Site | |
 | |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 767-424ER |
| Operator | United Airlines |
| IATA flight No. | UA169 |
| ICAO flight No. | UAL169 |
| Call sign | UNITED 169 |
| Registration | N77066 |
| Flight origin | Venice Marco Polo Airport, Venice, Italy |
| Destination | Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, United States |
| Occupants | 231 |
| Passengers | 221 |
| Crew | 10 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 231 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground injuries | 1 |
Background
Due to windy conditions, the flight was flying the RNAV W approach to Runway 29, the shortest at Newark Liberty International Airport, which provides a smaller margin of error than typical landings.[3] During landing, aircraft are expected to pass over the highway at only about 90 feet (27 m) AGL. Thus, low approaches over the turnpike are a common occurrence.[4]
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-424ER, registered N77066 with serial number 29461. Built in 2002, it was originally delivered to Continental Airlines before being transferred to United after the merger between the two companies. It is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2B7F engines.[5]
Passengers and crew
231 occupants were on board, consisting of 221 passengers and 10 crew members. The majority of those on board were from the United States, along with travelers from several countries including Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[6][7] The flight crew consisted of a captain, a first officer, and eight cabin crew members. The captain was an experienced pilot employed by United Airlines, with over 15,000 flight hours, including substantial experience on the Boeing 767. The first officer had accumulated approximately 8,000 flight hours.[8][9]
Accident
At around 12:45, the aircraft was on final approach into runway 29. According to Flightradar24, shortly before the accident, the aircraft had an altitude of around 200 feet (61 m).[10] The aircraft struck a semi-trailer truck travelling on the Turnpike and a light pole. The falling pole then struck a Jeep on the turnpike.[1] The truck driver was injured from being cut by shattered glass, while the driver of the Jeep was unharmed.[11] According to air traffic control (ATC) transmissions, the aircraft suffered damage, having a hole in the side of the plane.[12]
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the aircraft's approach path, obstacle clearance, and possible human or procedural factors during landing.[13] The NTSB classified the event as an accident due to the extent of damage to the aircraft. An investigator was sent to Newark to conduct interviews of the flight crew.[14]
Preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft descended lower than expected on final approach, resulting in a collision with a light pole and a truck, while investigators continued to analyze flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and airport infrastructure conditions.[15] A preliminary report is expected to be released within 30 days.[16]
United Airlines
United Airlines removed the pilots from service as it investigates the incident.[17] The NTSB directed the airline to secure the cockpit voice recordings and flight data recorders.[18]