United Airlines Flight Strikes Light Pole and Truck During Newark Landing
A United Airlines flight from Venice to Newark struck a light pole and a delivery truck during its final approach, prompting investigations by federal authorities.
On Sunday at approximately 2 p.m., United Airlines Flight 169 from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole and a delivery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport. Dash camera footage captured the aircraft's wheel colliding with a bakery delivery truck operated by H&S Family of Bakeries, causing debris to scatter across the roadway. The aircraft also made contact with a light pole before landing safely.
The New Jersey State Police reported that the driver of the delivery truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. United Airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew on board were unharmed. The airline stated, "We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation. Our crew has been removed from service as part of the process."
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations into the incident. The NTSB has classified the event as an accident due to the extent of damage to the aircraft and has dispatched an investigator to Newark to conduct interviews with the flight crew. The investigation will examine multiple factors, including flight operations, meteorological conditions, human performance, crew resource management, aircraft performance, and air traffic control.