A United Airlines plane collides with a pole and a truck while landing in Newark
United Airlines Flight 169 from Venice clipped a light pole on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport but landed safely. (Credit: Patrick Oyulu via Storyful)
A United Airlines flight struck a utility pole and a tractor trailer on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, injuring a truck driver on the ground, authorities said.
Flight 169, which was en route from Venice, Italy to New Jersey, made contact with a pole during landing around 2 p.m., the airline and police told FOX Business. The plane landed well and took a taxi until it arrived at the gate. All 221 passengers and 10 crew were unhurt.
“On final approach to Newark International Airport, United flight 169 collided with a light pole,” United said in a statement sent to FOX Business. “The plane landed safely, boarded the gate in a normal manner and no passengers or crew were injured.”
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United said its maintenance teams are inspecting the plane for damage and conducting a thorough safety check. (Patrick Oyulu via Storyful / Storyful)
United said its maintenance teams are inspecting the plane for damage and performing a comprehensive safety check. The crew on board have been temporarily removed from duty.
New Jersey State Police said troopers responded around 1:58 pm near the New Jersey Turnpike.
The initial investigation found the landing gear of the plane and the bottom of it hit a utility pole and a tractor trailer, sending the utility pole into a Jeep that was traveling on the road.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to New Jersey State Police.
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State authorities have also launched an investigation into the incident. (Patrick Oyulu via Storyful / Storyful)
“The accident remains under investigation, and no additional information is available,” New Jersey State Police told FOX Business.
State authorities have also launched an investigation into the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane crashed into a pole at around 2:00 local time and said they are investigating.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also opened an investigation and said the investigator is expected to arrive in Newark on Monday.
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United Airlines planes are seen at the gate of Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on May 7, 2025. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“The agency has ordered United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder to support the investigation. A preliminary report detailing the facts and circumstances of the event is expected within 30 days,” the NTSB told FOX Business via email.
The incident comes days after a United pilot reported a possible drone on approach to San Diego International Airport, according to the airline.
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The FAA did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FOX Business’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
