One Injured After United Airlines Plane Hits Truck, Light Pole While Landing at Newark

NEWARK, N.J. — A United Airlines flight from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, injuring the truck driver but landing safely with no casualties among the 231 people on board .

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time as United Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400ER carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, approached Runway 29 . The aircraft’s landing gear and underside struck a light pole and the top of an H&S Bakery delivery truck traveling southbound on the turnpike, according to New Jersey State Police. The damaged pole then struck a passing Jeep .

🚛 Truck Driver Released From Hospital

The truck driver, identified by various media as Warren Boardley, sustained minor cuts from broken glass and was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and later released . The driver was transporting bread products to a warehouse at the time of the collision.

“He was unscathed, but the wheel of the commercial plane crashed into the driver’s window,” Chuck Paterakis, senior vice president of H&S Bakery, told CBS News . “It could have been the opposite of what happened, and a little help from God went a long way tonight for everybody on the plane, and including the driver.”

Dashcam footage from the truck emerged on social media, showing the plane approaching at low altitude followed by a sudden impact that sent glass spraying across the cabin . One of the aircraft’s tires appears to have penetrated the truck’s window and windshield .

✈️ Plane Landed Safely, No Injuries on Board

Despite the collision, the Boeing 767 landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew .

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft was traveling at more than 160 mph when it crossed over the highway, which runs just outside the airport perimeter . The approach path for Runway 29 passes approximately 400 feet from the edge of the New Jersey Turnpike, where arriving aircraft can appear unusually low from ground level .

Patrick Oyulu, a driver on the highway, described the moment the plane passed overhead. “It was just coming directly in front of the truck … I just saw smoke and debris,” he told CNN. “I think (the truck was) trying to evasively maneuver out of its way or something, but they were cornered” .

🔍 Investigations Underway

United Airlines confirmed its maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft. The airline also stated it will “conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation” and that the crew has been removed from service pending the review, standard procedure following safety incidents .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged the incident and confirmed the aircraft sustained minor damage . The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation, with an investigator expected to arrive in Newark on May 4. The NTSB has directed United to provide the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for analysis . A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.

Recordings of air traffic control communications captured by LiveATC.net indicated that pilots and air traffic controllers did not appear to be immediately aware the plane had struck the light pole upon landing, as the 767 was instructed to taxi to the gate while other aircraft continued to land on the same runway .

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that airport staff inspected the runway for debris after the incident and that normal operations resumed shortly thereafter .

⚠️ Ongoing Coverage

This is a developing story. The truck driver has been identified and released from the hospital. The NTSB investigation is in its early stages. Boeing has not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident .

Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on this developing story.