United Declares Emergency Following Attempted Cockpit Breach and Highway Collision
United Airlines is reeling after a chaotic weekend at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) involving two high-stakes emergencies in less than 24 hours. The airline is currently assisting federal investigators after a flight deck security breach was followed by a wide-body jet colliding with highway infrastructure during its final landing approach.
United Flight Strikes Light Pole Over NJ Turnpike
At approximately 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 3, United Flight 169 arrived from Venice, Italy, when it struck a light pole while passing over the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike. The impact sent debris onto the highway, damaging a tractor-trailer and causing minor injuries to the driver.
United Boeing 767 Overturns Truck on NJ Turnpike and Strikes Pole on Approach to Newark https://t.co/K33yzS1iw9 via @TheBulkheadSeatpic.twitter.com/FW9Gkidasp
— BoardingArea (@BoardingArea) May 4, 2026
While the aircraft - carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members - landed safely, the flight crew has been removed from service as part of a "rigorous flight safety investigation". The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it is investigating the incident and will release a report within 30 days.
Mid-Air Emergency: Passenger Attempts to Storm Cockpit
The highway collision followed a terrifying security incident on Saturday, May 2. Pilots on United Flight 1837 were forced to declare an emergency after a 48-year-old male passenger allegedly attacked a flight attendant and attempted to gain access to the flight deck.
Wild moment United passenger assaults flight attendant, tries to storm cockpit revealed in audio: ‘Oh my god' "A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and tried to open the forward main cabin door," the crew member says. "Tried to gain acc… https://t.co/LbysRzoFKzpic.twitter.com/MXaBfcjJt8
— UnfilteredAmerica (@NahBabyNahNah) May 3, 2026
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot's urgent request for law enforcement assistance, noting that the individual "tried to pop our door open" and "tried to gain access to the flight deck". Upon landing, Port Authority Police detained the suspect without incident and transported him to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Operational Oversight and Safety Reviews
The back-to-back incidents have placed United's operations at Newark under intense scrutiny. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed she has been briefed on the Sunday collision, expressing relief that all 231 people on the Venice flight remained unharmed.
United Airlines stated its maintenance teams are currently evaluating the damage to both aircraft involved in the weekend's scares. While normal airport operations resumed quickly on Sunday following a debris inspection, the airline is working closely with the NTSB and local law enforcement to address the security and technical failures that occurred.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM.