🔔 Stay Updated!

Get instant alerts on breaking news, top stories, and updates from News EiSamay.

Close call at Newark: United jet strikes light pole, vehicle before landing

A United flight from Venice clipped a pole and truck near Newark while landing; no onboard injuries, one driver hurt.

By Sarwesh Sri Bardhan

May 04, 2026 11:09 IST

A United Airlines Boeing 767-400 carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer while coming in for a landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The flight, United Flight 169 from Venice, Italy, landed safely after the incident, which occurred around 2 pm on the final approach to the airport.

Close call on final approach

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft landed safely after it “came into contact with a light pole” on approach.

Also Read | Thick smoke engulfs skies over Manhattan and Jersey City, sparks alarm

United said its maintenance team was evaluating the damage and that it would conduct a “rigorous” flight safety investigation, while the crew was removed from service during the review.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said no one aboard the plane was hurt and that airport staff inspected the runway for debris before operations resumed.

Near-ground collision spills onto busy turnpike

State police said the underside and a tire of the aircraft hit both the pole and the tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The pole then struck a Jeep traveling on the highway. The truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released, according to the Port Authority.

CBS News reported that dashcam footage captured the moment the plane struck the truck, though officials have not said what caused the aircraft to come in so low.

Also Read | 12-year-old boy’s fate uncertain as father refuses DNA test in US deportation case

Black box data to decode what went wrong

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have opened investigations into the incident. The NTSB said an investigator was scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday and had directed United to secure and provide the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for the probe.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, the NTSB said.

Articles you may like:

Election