A United Airlines Boeing 767 arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport from Venice, Italy, struck a light pole and a delivery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike highway during its final approach on Sunday at about 2 p.m. local time [1, 2]. The truck was owned by H&S Family of Bakeries and carried bread products to a Newark airport depot [1].
The truck driver, Warren Boardley, suffered minor glass cuts to his arm and forearm and was treated and released from hospital [1, 2]. The light pole the plane clipped fell onto a Jeep also traveling on the highway, but there were no reports of injuries to that vehicle's occupants [1, 2].
United Airlines flight 169 had 221 passengers and 10 crew members onboard, according to FAA sources; passenger numbers were not specified by all reports [2]. Despite the collision, the plane landed safely and suffered only minor damage. Airport operations resumed shortly after an inspection cleared the runway area [1, 2].
A dashboard camera from the truck captured the moment of impact and the footage circulated on social media [1]. Chuck Paterakis, vice president of transportation at Schmidt Bakery, commented, "Everybody – the driver and everybody on the plane – should be very fortunate. Because it could have been the opposite of what happened, and a little help from God went a long way tonight for everybody on the plane, and including the driver" [1].
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident [2].
