Federal authorities have launched an investigation after a United Airlines passenger jet struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, the New Jersey State Police said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the incident involving United Airlines Flight 169 occurred about 2 pm EDT Sunday.
The Boeing 767-400 aircraft landed safely, arriving in the U.S. from Venice, Italy, according to the FAA.
The airline said in a subsequent statement that United flight 169 “came into contact with a light pole” on its final approach to Newark.
“The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured,” it added.
However, the tractor-trailer driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and has since been released, the Port Authority added.
"Our maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft," said a United spokesperson. "We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process."
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement posted on X that it had opened an investigation of the incident.
An NTSB investigator is scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday, according to a spokesperson. The agency said it has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to support the investigation.
A preliminary report was expected within 30 days, it said.
