A United Airlines flight from Venice, Italy experienced a frightening incident Sunday afternoon when the aircraft collided with a light pole during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision occurred around 2 p.m. as United Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400, was making its final approach for landing, according to Federal Aviation Administration officials. The impact damaged the light pole located along the New Jersey Turnpike near the airport.
Despite the collision, the aircraft completed its landing without incident and all passengers aboard remained unharmed, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed. Airport officials noted that the plane sustained minor damage from the encounter.
A United Airlines representative stated that their maintenance crew is currently assessing the extent of damage to the aircraft. “We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process,” the spokesperson said.
The incident had consequences beyond the aircraft itself. A truck driver traveling on the turnpike below was struck by debris from the damaged light pole and required medical attention. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was later discharged, according to Port Authority officials.
Airport operations resumed normal schedules shortly after the incident. Ground crews conducted a thorough inspection of the runway area to clear any potential debris before allowing regular flight operations to continue.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have announced they will launch investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
