A United Airlines Boeing 767 struck a light pole and tractor trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport this evening.
The plane carried 221 passengers and 10 crew members with no serious injuries reported on board.
The truck driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
The FAA and NTSB launched a full investigation into the close call.
Gusty winds may have contributed as the flight came in low over the highway.
Newark operations saw delays while crews cleared the scene.
This should not happen on a routine landing approach.
Travel already feels chaotic and this just adds to the mess.
Expect safety reviews to drag and costs to eventually hit tickets.
Driver on N.J. Turnpike hurt as United plane hits pole on approach to Newark airport
“A United Airlines plane hit a light pole during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, injuring a driver on the New Jersey Turnpike and damaging the aircraft, officials said Sunday.
Flight UA169, a Boeing 767 carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, “struck an object over the southbound New Jersey Turnpike, causing damage to a light post and a tractor trailer traveling south on the turnpike,” the Port Authority Police Department said.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed that a piece of the light pole struck the vehicle. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and has been released, police said.
The flight originated in Venice, Italy, and landed around 2 p.m., the department said. It landed safely and taxied to the gate normally, with no injuries reported on board, a United Airlines spokesperson said.”