Plane hits pole near airport, safety rules get a quick update

A plane landing at Newark Airport recently clipped a light pole just 15 feet above the ground. The incident happened as the Boeing 767 touched down, sending debris flying onto a nearby highway. A passing truck driver got minor injuries from the falling debris, while everyone on the plane walked away unharmed. The plane itself suffered serious damage, leaving experts to question how such a close call could happen. Investigators found that the pilots struggled with their speed control during the landing. The captain later admitted feeling pressured by wind changes and adjusted power too quickly. The co-pilot warned multiple times about the plane flying too slow and dropping too low. Moments before touchdown, a loud thud was heard—confirming the collision with the pole.In response, the airline sent out new guidelines for pilots landing at Newark. They now recommend touching down between 1, 000 and 1, 500 feet from the runway’s start. This change aims to give pilots more room to stabilize the plane before landing. The incident also highlighted a risky habit called "ducking under, " where pilots try to land too low to avoid turbulence. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported three holes in the plane’s underside and damage to one of its landing tires. This wasn’t just a close call—it was a warning about how small mistakes can lead to big problems. Airlines and pilots may need to rethink how they handle short-runway landings to prevent future incidents.