**Update: 12/08/21 @ 19:10 UTC – Update with information from Newark Airport.**
On August 11th, a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 landing at Newark Liberty Airport's runway 22R vacated the runway via a high-speed turn-off. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a number of taxiway lights. Let's take a closer look at this incident.
Incident details
The accident took place on August 11th and involves a United Airlines 787-10 registered N14011. This aircraft had just finished performing flight UA85 from Tel Aviv to Newark, performing a safe landing on runway 22R at 16:45.
Upon landing on runway 22R, it was reported by the Aviation Herald that the aircraft slowed and vacated the runway using high-speed turn-off B4. It was during this hard-right turn to vacate the runway that the aircraft collided with some taxiway lights. Despite the collision, the aircraft continued taxiing to the apron.
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Accident registered with the FAA
According to the Federal Aviation Administration's Accident and Incident Notifications, the incident was registered today, on August 12th. However, not much additional information has been offered up by the regulator as the notice on its website merely states:
AIRCRAFT STRUCK MULTIPLE TAXI LIGHTS WHILE EXITING RUNWAY 22R AT NEWARK, NJ (EWR)
The Aviation Herald notes that other communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC) had another aircraft reporting the damage sustained to the taxiway lights. ATC then advised the crew of UA85 to check their right main gear, at which point the discovery was made that the incident took place during a sharp right turn from turn-off B4 onto taxiway B.
The aircraft has spent the night in Newark but is scheduled to depart for Frankfurt later today, at 19:40.
A very sharp right turn
Examining the runway diagram above, we can see that making a right turn from turn-off B4 to taxiway B is an extremely sharp maneuver. Indeed, as one commenter on the Aviation Herald report notes, this would indicate a 150º turn. The individual adds that they would not even attempt this with their car.
Simple Flying has reached out to both United Airlines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, seeking comment or statement on the incident. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the incident took place, noting that there was no impact to operations. The operator of Newark Liberty also adds that the light was immediately repaired.
Newark Liberty Airport is in the process of having one of its main runways, 4R-22L, completely refurbished. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is spending $84 million on the project, which is set to last a year, with a completion date of the second quarter of 2022.
This runway is Newark’s primary landing runway and handles approximately 47% of the airport’s traffic. However, 4R-22L hasn’t had any major work done since 2012. The runway is scheduled to be closed from July 6th to October 1st, 2022.
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