NEWARK, NJ — Travelers on the New Jersey Turnpike experienced a terrifying and highly unusual sight Sunday afternoon when a massive United Airlines Boeing 767 struck infrastructure and a vehicle while on its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The incident, which occurred around 2:00 P.M., marks the second major scare at the airport in less than 24 hours, raising serious questions about flight safety and pilot performance.
Collision on the Turnpike
United Airlines Flight 169 was arriving from Venice, Italy, carrying 231 passengers and crew members. According to the FAA and Port Authority Police, the aircraft’s landing path brought it dangerously low, causing it to clip a light pole located on the edge of the New Jersey Turnpike.
The chaos didn’t end there:
- The Tractor-Trailer Strike: The jet also made contact with a tractor-trailer traveling southbound on the Turnpike.
- The Jeep Collision: After being hit by the plane, the mangled light pole fell and struck a Jeep traveling along the same stretch of highway.
Remarkably, despite the mid-air collision with ground objects, the Boeing 767 managed to land safely on the runway and taxi to the gate normally. No injuries were reported among the 231 people on board the aircraft.
Injuries and Damage Reported
While those in the air were spared, those on the ground were not as lucky. The driver of the tractor-trailer was rushed to a local hospital with injuries. Port Authority Police later confirmed the driver has since been released after being treated for minor injuries.
Airport staff conducted a sweep of the runway for debris immediately following the landing to ensure no other flights were at risk. “Minor damage to the aircraft was observed,” officials stated, noting that normal operations at Newark Liberty were resumed shortly after the inspection.
Investigation and Crew Suspended
United Airlines is facing intense scrutiny following the incident. In a pointed updated statement released Sunday evening, the airline confirmed that a “rigorous flight safety investigation” is underway.
Perhaps most tellingly, United announced that the flight crew has been removed from service as part of the investigative process. This move is standard but highlights the gravity of a “low approach” incident that involves striking highway traffic.
The FAA is also conducting its own investigation to determine if mechanical failure, weather conditions, or pilot error led the wide-body jet to fly so low over one of the busiest highways in the United States.
What do you think, New Jersey? Have you ever felt that planes at Newark fly uncomfortably low over the Turnpike? Does this incident make you nervous about future flights, or was this just a “freak accident”?
Share your thoughts and any photos you might have from the Turnpike in the comments below.
