By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) – United Airlines issued a safety bulletin to pilots on approaches at Newark airport after a Boeing 767 aircraft struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike on May 3.
Debris from the light pole that was just 15 feet above the ground subsequently struck a tractor-trailer traveling southbound on the turnpike that was captured in a harrowing video.
The 11 cabin and flight crew and 220 passengers deplaned at the gate without injury and the driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries. The plane sustained substantial damage.
United told pilots after the incident that for short-runway landings, approaches are to be conducted so touchdown occurs 1,500 feet (457.2 m) from the runway threshold, but not prior to 1,000 feet from the threshold.
United did not immediately comment.
United Flight Operations also issued an alert that applied to Newark arrivals specific to that runway. United said it identified that the pilot technique of “ducking under” contributes to low approach altitudes during the visual segment into some airports and runways.
The pilot told the NTSB he “got fast,” while he turned the airplane into the headwind and pulled the power levers back to compensate and heard the first officer call out “airspeed slow” while on short final.
As they descended, the first officer recalled he stated, “Hey, you are slow,” followed moments later by, “You are still slow and a little low.” The captain stated that just before touchdown “he heard a thump” and the first officer recalled feeling a mild jolt.
The NTSB said the airplane suffered three punctures on the left lower fuselage and a tire on the left main landing gear had evidence of slash marks.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
