First officer of United flight that hit light pole on New Jersey Turnpike told captain he was “slow and a little low,” NTSB says A United Airlines flight struck a light pole during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, with debris then impacting a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike. The NTSB preliminary report indicates the first officer repeatedly informed the captain the plane was “slow and a little low.” The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including three punctures to the fuselage.

• A United Airlines plane struck a light pole on its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport.
• Debris from the light pole hit a tractor-trailer traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike.
• The NTSB preliminary report indicates the first officer told the captain the plane was “slow and a little low.”
• The captain reported hearing a “thump” just before landing.
• The aircraft sustained “substantial” damage with three punctures to the lower left aft fuselage.