Repaired: United Airlines’ Light Pole-Struck Boeing 767-400ER Slated To Return To Service

Published Aug 13, 2026, 3:57 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. The United AirlinesBoeing 767-400ER that struck a light pole as it approached Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in May is slated to return to service soon. The damaged plane has been in Rio de Janeiro since August 12 after it sat at Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for a month before it was ferried to Brazil for repair. At 24 years old, the jet, N77066, primarily operates nonstop long-haul services between US West Coast cities and popular leisure destinations in Europe. The plane was arriving in Newark in May after a flight from Venice (VCE), when the jet hit a light pole on approach to the busy New York airport. The debris from the light pole subsequently hit a tractor-trailer which was traveling along the New Jersey Turnpike. The plane landed safely and taxied to the gate. A United Airlines Boeing 767-400ER Hit A Light Pole On Approach To Newark Credit: Shutterstock As previously reported on Simple Flying, the jet was arriving in Newark after its nonstop flight from Venice, when the plane struck a light pole. This caused substantial damage to the jet, and it has been out of service for months since. The plane was able to land safely, and the three flight crew members, eight cabin crew, and all 220 passengers onboard were unharmed. The jet was being flown by the captain at the time of the incident, and according to Aviation Safety, the flight had otherwise been uneventful until the descent. The crew prepared to land the widebody on runway 4R; however, they had a change to runway 22L during the descent. The plane was preparing for landing when there was a request for the flight to be placed into a holding pattern, a request that was quickly revoked. As the plane prepared for the hold, the aircraft slowed to around 250 knots (463 km/h), and the captain briefed the new approach to Runway 29. The first officer called out that the airspeed was slow, and there were no windshear alerts, so the crew felt the plane was in a safe position to be able to land. Moments later, the speed and altitude were called out again regarding the low airspeed and altitude. As the plane came in for touchdown, the captain 'heard a thump', and it was realized the aircraft had hit the light pole. N77066 Removed From Service After It Hit A Light Pole Credit: Shutterstock The aircraft was able to land safely and made its way to the gate where all passengers and crew disembarked. Once off the airplane, the captain was seen on the ground assessing the damage on the plane, where the aircraft had taken the brunt of the light pole on the aft fuselage. On examination, three punctures were identified on the lower aft fuselage, and damage ran from stations 1219 to 1373. A forward puncture was around six inches long, while others were up to 46 inches long. Between the damaged areas, several dents and creases were also found. The #1 tire on the left main landing gear had also sustained some damage. The tractor-trailer that was also impacted by the falling light pole on the turnpike had windshield damage and other damage to the side of the trailer. The plane, which carries registration N77066, was subsequently removed from service and remained on the apron at Newark from May 3 until July 22, when it is shown on flight data to be transferred to Cincinnati under flight number UA4214. On August 12, the plane was transferred to Brazil as UA4207, where it has been undergoing maintenance. A post by the United Fleet Website on X has stated that the plane will return to service soon. Set To Return To Service After A Few Days In Rio de Janeiro Credit: Shutterstock United Airlines maintains extensive maintenance facilities at Rio, and the base is used as its primary heavy-maintenance facility outside of the United States. The location's specialty is the Boeing 767. United took over the former TAP ME facility and has since used the hub for heavy checks and extensive aircraft overhauls. Having a base in Brazil helps lower operational labor costs when compared to undertaking work in the United States. When looking at flight data, there is no exact date yet scheduled for when the aircraft will return to service; however, once operational again, the plane will join the other 15 767-400ERs that United operates. The Star Alliance carrier has these planes configured with a total of 231 seats, spread across 34 United Polaris, 24 United Premium Plus, 48 Economy Plus, and 125 Economy.