New video shows United plane clipping truck at Newark airport
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- Newly-released footage shows United Airlines flight 169 striking a bakery truck's trailer while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, injuring the truck driver but causing no injuries to the 231 passengers aboard.
- The video reveals the plane's landing gear hitting the top of the tractor-trailer, pushing it into a concrete barrier and also striking a lamp pole during a low approach over the New Jersey Turnpike.
- United 169 was attempting a visual landing on Runway 29, known for its challenging approach due to a short runway, nonstandard guidance lights, cross-traffic, and crosswinds.
- Pilots have reported difficulties with the "Stadium Visual Rwy 29" approach, citing a slim margin for error and difficulty correcting course if the initial 70-degree turn is undershot, as appears to have happened in this incident.
- Aviation experts affirm the approach remains safe when protocols are strictly followed, noting that relocating either the runway or the Turnpike is impractical.
