United Flight’s Landing Gear Strikes Bakery Truck at NJ Turnpike/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J, Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A United Airlines jet struck a light pole while landing in Newark. The aircraft also hit a delivery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. No passengers were injured, and the plane landed safely.
United Flight Newark Incident Quick Looks
- United Flight 169 struck light pole during landing
- Aircraft also hit delivery truck on highway below
- 221 passengers and crew safe with no injuries
- Truck driver treated and released from hospital
- FAA and NTSB investigating the incident
- Airport operations resumed shortly after
Deep Look
Plane Strikes Pole During Newark Landing
A United Airlines passenger jet arriving from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport, causing a brief but alarming incident over one of the busiest highways in the United States.
The aircraft, carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, made contact with the pole as it descended toward the runway on Sunday afternoon.
Despite the impact, the plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported among those onboard.
Collision Also Damages Truck on Turnpike
Authorities said the impact extended beyond the light pole. A landing tire and the underside of the aircraft also struck a delivery truck traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike below.
The collision caused the pole to hit a nearby Jeep, creating a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles.
The truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released, according to officials.
Busy Highway Lies Directly Below Flight Path
The incident highlights the unique geography of Newark Liberty International Airport, where aircraft approach low over heavily trafficked sections of Interstate 95.
Planes landing on one of the airport’s main runways pass directly above multiple lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike, leaving little margin for error during final approach.
The runway begins just a short distance from the highway, making such close interactions between air and ground traffic unavoidable under normal operations.
FAA and NTSB Launch Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the aircraft “came into contact with a light pole” before landing safely.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the incident. Officials said an investigator would arrive on-site and that United Airlines has been directed to provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Aircraft and Crew Under Review
United Airlines stated that its maintenance team is assessing the extent of damage to the aircraft, which appeared to be minor.
The airline also removed the flight crew from service while it conducts a “rigorous” internal safety review.
These steps are standard procedure following incidents involving aircraft contact with external objects.
Airport Operations Resume Quickly
Airport officials inspected the runway for debris following the incident and confirmed that normal operations resumed shortly afterward.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the situation was handled efficiently, minimizing disruption to flights and airport activity.
Safety Questions Raised
While no serious injuries occurred, the incident raises questions about safety margins during landings at airports located near major highways.
Investigators will likely focus on factors such as approach angle, altitude, and environmental conditions to determine how the aircraft came into contact with the light pole.
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