NTSB Investigates Incident as Flight Lands Safely
An inquiry is underway after United Airlines Flight 169, arriving from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft, a Boeing 767-400ER, landed without incident, and all 221 passengers and 10 crew members aboard were unharmed. The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time near New Jersey Turnpike interchange 14. Flight 169, carrying 231 individuals in total, was reportedly vectored to a shorter runway, Runway 29, due to windy conditions. This deviation from the typical landing approach for the Venice flight, which usually utilizes longer runways, may have contributed to the low altitude during the approach.
Sequence of Events
Footage from the tractor-trailer, a Schmidt Bakery truck en route from Baltimore, shows the vehicle traveling on the turnpike before the plane's landing gear and underside made contact. The collision sent the truck careening down the roadway. The light pole, after being struck by the aircraft, also reportedly fell and hit a Jeep traveling on the turnpike.
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Official Response
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation and dispatched an investigator to Newark. The agency has directed United Airlines to secure and provide the cockpit voice recordings and flight data recorders to aid the inquiry. United Airlines stated that its maintenance teams are inspecting the aircraft and conducting a full safety review.
Background
Runway inspections were completed following the incident, and normal operations at Newark Liberty International Airport resumed promptly. United Airlines has reportedly removed the pilots from service pending the investigation's outcome.
