United Airlines Boeing 767 Strikes Light Pole and Truck During Newark Landing
A dramatic incident unfolded at Newark Liberty International Airport when a United Airlines Boeing 767 made contact with a light pole and a truck while on final approach.
The aircraft, operating as Flight 169 from Venice, was descending toward the runway on Sunday afternoon when its landing gear and underside struck a light pole along the busy New Jersey Turnpike. The impact also involved a tractor-trailer traveling on the highway below.
Despite the alarming sequence of events, the widebody jet landed safely and taxied to the gate without further incident. No injuries were reported among the 200+ passengers and crew onboard.
On the ground, however, the truck driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. The fallen light pole also struck a nearby vehicle, adding to the chaos on the roadway.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft suffered minor damage, particularly to its landing gear area. Airport operations resumed shortly after inspections cleared the runway of debris.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the incident. The flight crew has been removed from duty pending a full safety review.
The incident highlights how close major highways run to airport approach paths, especially at Newark, where aircraft routinely pass just meters above traffic during landing.
