Copilot of United jet that struck a light pole realized flight was low, but not in time: report
NEW YORK (AP) — Co-pilot of a United Airlines passenger plane crashed into a lamp post He said he noticed the plane coming in low as it was landing at Newark Liberty Airport last month, but told investigators he didn’t realize it early enough to call for the landing to be aborted. new report Thursday.
The National Transportation Safety Board also noted in its initial report that the pilot and crew heard a loud “thump” and felt a “slight jolt” just before landing.
The report states that the co-pilot recalled saying “you’re still slow and a little low” as the plane descended. He later recalled looking outside and thinking the plane was low but almost touching down.
Law enforcement said at the time that the plane crashed into the top of a bakery truck, causing minor injuries to the driver. But Thursday’s report says it was actually debris from a utility pole, not the plane itself, that hit a truck traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike, damaging its windshield and penetrating its trailer.
The report offers the first account of events from the crew inside the plane, but does not explain a specific reason why the plane descended so low or make recommendations on how similar events could have been prevented. That’s not expected until the NTSB issues its final report, likely next year.
The United Airlines passenger plane was arriving for landing on May 3 after flying from Venice, Italy. According to the NTSB report, the Boeing 677 managed to land safely despite serious damage to its fuselage. None of the more than 200 people on board were injured.
Regular drivers on this stretch of Interstate 95 near the Newark airport are probably used to seeing planes coming in low as they cross the highway in preparation for landing.
The dashboard camera taken from inside the bakery delivery truck showed the moment of impact.
The driver is seen singing happily to himself, then looking out the window with slight concern as the sound of the jet’s whirring engines begins on the recording. A minute later, part of the plane zooms in out the driver’s side window.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said Thursday’s report showed the captain was struggling due to strong winds and a short runway.
The asphalt where the plane lands is the shortest runway at the airport at 6,726 feet (2,050 meters). It is usually only used when there are strong winds, like the one that afternoon. An air traffic controller told the pilots that winds were gusting up to 50 kilometers per hour.
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Associated Press transportation reporter Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this story.
