United Airlines plane hits light pole on landing at Newark airport

The Boeing 767 landed safely with no injuries reported on board, though a nearby vehicle driver sustained minor injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation while airport operations quickly returned to normal.

Reuters

4 May 2026 at 08:16:32

United Airlines plane hits light pole on landing at Newark airport

FILE PHOTO: A view of Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., March 23, 2026.

Jeenah Moon/Reuters

A United Airlines UAL.O aircraft on Sunday struck a light pole on its final descent into Newark International Airport causing damage to the post and a tractor trailer traveling on the nearby highway, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

While on approach to land at Newark Liberty International Airport, United Airlines Flight 169 struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike around 2 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Boeing 767 landed safely and was arriving from Venice, Italy, the FAA said.

The Port authority said no injuries were reported on the plane while minor damage to the aircraft was observed. Airport staff inspected the runway for debris and normal operations were quickly resumed, according to a spokesperson.

The tractor trailer driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.

The FAA said it will investigate incident. United did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

-Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Nick Zieminski/Reuters