NEWARK, NJ – A United Airlines Boeing 767 designated as Flight 169, arriving from Venice, Italy, on Sunday afternoon, made unexpected contact with a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport. The incident, captured on dashcam video and witnessed by highway travelers, resulted in a damaged truck and minor injuries to its driver. All 221 passengers and 10 crew members aboard the aircraft reported no injuries, and the plane landed safely.
The aircraft's landing gear and underside struck a light pole, which then collided with a tractor-trailer traveling on the southbound lanes of the turnpike. The pole subsequently hit a Jeep also on the roadway. Eyewitnesses reported a "huge gust of wind" as the low-flying plane passed over the highway. Authorities confirmed the flight was en route to Runway 29, the shortest at Newark, a deviation from its usual approach attributed to windy conditions on Sunday.
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The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified as Warren Boardley of Baltimore, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, including glass in his arm and hand. He has since been released. United Airlines stated its maintenance teams are inspecting the aircraft and conducting a full safety review.
Investigations are underway by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The NTSB has dispatched an investigator and requested the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from United Airlines.
Details of the Incident
The collision occurred around 1:58 PM Eastern Time on Sunday. Video footage from inside the tractor-trailer, identified as a Schmidt Bakery truck, shows its driver on the New Jersey Turnpike before the plane's landing gear and underside made contact. The truck sustained damage, and one of its windows and the windscreen were reportedly broken.
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Initial reports indicated the plane was traveling at over 160 miles per hour as it crossed over the turnpike, according to flight tracking data. While the plane landed safely, visual evidence shows damage to the aircraft, including a gash on its belly.
Context and Background
United Flight 169, operating a daily service from Venice, Italy, typically utilizes Newark's longer runways. However, windy conditions on Sunday necessitated a rerouting to Runway 29. Officials from the FAA and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority were on-site to gather evidence and conduct inspections following the incident. United Airlines has reportedly removed the involved flight crew from service pending the outcome of the investigations.
