United Airlines Flight Clips Truck During Newark Landing; Driver Injured

A United Airlines Boeing 767-400, arriving from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole and a delivery truck during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft, carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, landed safely with no reported injuries onboard.

The incident occurred as the plane flew low over the New Jersey Turnpike, a busy highway adjacent to the airport. The aircraft's landing gear and underside collided with a light pole, which then struck a Jeep on the highway. Additionally, the plane clipped a delivery truck operated by H&S Bakery. The truck driver, identified as Warren Boardley Jr., sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital.

Dashcam footage from the truck captured the moment of impact, showing the plane descending unusually low over the highway before the collision.

United Airlines stated that its maintenance team is evaluating the aircraft for damage, and the crew has been removed from service pending a thorough flight safety investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has classified the event as an accident due to the extent of damage to the airplane and has initiated an investigation. An NTSB investigator arrived in Newark on Monday to conduct interviews and collect the flight's cockpit voice and data recorders.

The runway involved, Runway 29, is known for its challenging approach due to its short length and proximity to the highway. Investigators will examine factors such as flight planning, navigation inputs, and potential pilot fatigue as part of their inquiry.