United Airlines Boeing 767 Strikes Truck and Light Pole During Newark Landing Approach

Federal authorities have launched an investigation after a United Airlines flight struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon. United Flight 169 , a Boeing 767 arriving from Venice, Italy, was carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members when the incident occurred just after 2 p.m.

According to the New Jersey State Police, a preliminary investigation indicated that a tire from the plane’s landing gear and the underside of the aircraft hit both a light pole and the truck. The impact caused the pole to strike a nearby Jeep. The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified by company officials as Warren Boardley, was transported to a hospital with minor injuries from broken glass and was later released. United Airlines confirmed the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate with no injuries reported among those on board.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated the aircraft was vectored toward Runway 29 due to windy conditions. Runway 29 is the shortest of the airport's three runways at 6,725 feet and requires a circling approach. While the distance is within the recommended minimum for a Boeing 767-400, aviation experts characterized the approach as more difficult than the airport's primary, longer runways.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating why the aircraft was flying at an unusually low altitude. Port Authority officials said airport staff inspected the runway for debris following the strike, and normal operations resumed quickly. United’s maintenance teams are currently evaluating the damage to the aircraft.