United Boeing 767 hits truck, light pole on approach to Newark Airport

UNITED BOEING 787-10 N40926 (MSN 40926)

A United Airlines Boeing 767 travelling from Venice-Marco Polo Airport (VCE/LIPZ) to Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) hit a tractor-trailer and struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while landing around 14.00 hours (local), injuring the truck driver but causing no injuries to passengers or crew aboard the aircraft.

United flight 169 had 221 passengers and 10 crew members when the aircraft struck the light pole and the truck during final approach to EWR’s Runway 29, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United Airlines and local reporting.

The lane the truck was in is 170m from the runway 29 threshold and some 500m from the runway the touchdown markers. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate, United said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed the aircraft struck the light pole on the Turnpike, causing damage to the pole, the tractor-trailer and the aircraft. The pole reportedly also struck another vehicle on the highway.

New Jersey State Police said a tyre from the aircraft’s landing gear and part of the underside of the aircraft hit the tractor-trailer and the light pole.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: United
Code: UA/UAL
Aircraft: Boeing 767-424ER
Registration: N77066
Serial Number: 29461

Engines: 2 x GE CF6-80C2B7F

First Flew: 24/05/2002

Age: 24 Years