United Airlines Flight Strikes Light Pole and Truck During Newark Landing
A United Airlines Boeing 767 struck a light pole and a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, resulting in minor injuries to the truck driver and prompting federal investigations.
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400 arriving from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time.
The aircraft, carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, landed safely and taxied to the gate without injuries reported onboard. However, debris from the light pole damaged a tractor-trailer traveling southbound on the Turnpike. The truck driver sustained minor injuries, was treated at a local hospital, and subsequently released.
United Airlines stated that its maintenance team is evaluating the aircraft for damage and that the crew has been removed from service pending a thorough flight safety investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations into the incident. An NTSB investigator is scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday, and the agency has directed United to provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
The New Jersey Turnpike runs adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport, with aircraft often flying low over the highway during final approaches. The proximity of the runway to the Turnpike raises concerns about the potential for similar incidents.