WATCH: United Flight 169 hits truck, clips light pole near Newark during landing

A United Airlines flight arriving from Venice was involved in an accident near Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon, April 3, while on final approach. The aircraft, identified as United Flight 169, was nearing touchdown when it struck a bakery truck and clipped a light pole near the New Jersey Turnpike. Despite the mid-air contact, the plane landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power, and ‘no injuries were reported’ among passengers or crew, Fox News reported, citing the airline.

The flight, operated by United Airlines, was travelling from Venice (VCE) to Newark (EWR) aboard a Boeing 767-400, carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members at the time of the incident.

According to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, the aircraft was traveling at more than 160 miles per hour as it crossed over the highway just outside the airport.


CNN reported, citing a preliminary investigation from New Jersey State Police, that a tire from the plane’s landing gear and the underside of the aircraft “collided with a pole and a tractor-trailer. The pole then struck a Jeep.”

“The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital,” the report added.

Video reportedly from inside the truck shows the moment of impact.


Video taken from another angle shows when the aircraft hit the light pole during its descent.


The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is sending an investigator to Newark. The agency will examine the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder as part of its probe.


New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill commented on the incident via X, acknowledging she has been briefed on the situation involving United Flight 169 at Newark Liberty International Airport.


Runway 29 at Newark, where the plane landed, begins less than 400 feet from the edge of the busy New Jersey Turnpike. According to CNN, the runway is not always in use, but under certain wind conditions, aircraft frequently approach at low altitudes over the highway, often surprising drivers below.