A United Airlines Boeing 767 struck a tractor-trailer and a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3, 2026, officials confirmed. The incident involved Flight UA169, which originated in Venice, Italy, carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members.
Dashcam footage captured the moment the plane’s landing gear tire and underside hit both the parked tractor-trailer and a nearby light pole. The truck, en route to Smith’s Bakery depot in Newark, was preparing to exit the turnpike when the collision occurred. The tire penetrated the truck’s window and windshield, causing minor injuries to the driver, Warren Boardley, who was treated and released from the hospital.
New Jersey State Police stated that the light pole also struck a Jeep traveling on the turnpike, but no serious injuries were reported among other motorists. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said airport staff inspected the runway for debris after the event and resumed normal operations promptly.
Investigation and Flight Details
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the incident. Preliminary findings indicate the aircraft was on its final approach to Runway 29 when it made contact with the pole and the truck.
United Airlines confirmed the plane landed safely and all passengers and crew were unharmed. The airline’s maintenance team is assessing the damage, and the cause of the low flight path remains under review.
The flight’s typical landing runway was changed to the shorter Runway 29 due to gusty winds. This runway is notably shorter at 6,725 feet compared to Newark’s other runways, which exceed 9,900 feet, reducing the margin for pilot error. Experts described the approach as challenging, involving a circling maneuver rather than a straight-in landing.
Official Reactions
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that while the factors contributing to the incident are still unclear, windy conditions could have played a role. “We don’t want to get ahead of the facts,” he said, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event.
Former NTSB Chair and retired pilot Robert Sumwalt described the approach to Runway 29 as “difficult” and expressed relief that the landing ended without injury. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also expressed gratitude for the safe landing while acknowledging the incident’s seriousness.
Local residents and travelers who viewed the dashcam footage expressed shock and concern over the close call but recognized the rarity of such accidents.
Why it matters
This incident highlights potential hazards associated with low-altitude flights over busy roadways near airports, particularly when non-standard landing runways are used due to weather conditions. The ongoing investigations by the FAA and NTSB could lead to revisions in landing procedures or airport safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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