United flight strikes truck, light pole while landing at Newark airport

A United Airlines flight arriving from Italy struck a bakery truck and a light pole along the New Jersey Turnpike while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport, according to officials and media reports. The truck driver suffered minor injuries.

The incident happened at about 2 p.m. on Sunday as United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767 arriving from Venice, was on approach to land at Newark, according to the FAA.

The plane struck a truck traveling on the turnpike, and one of the aircraft’s wheels hit the driver’s-side window, The National News Desk reported. The truck was hauling products from Schmidt Baking Company.

The driver was taken to a hospital with small cuts after the incident, according to TNND. Dashcam footage from the truck captured the moment of impact.

A short video taken from the New Jersey Turnpike moments later showed a light pole bent downward along the highway. The FAA also confirmed that the plane struck a light pole.

United said the aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew members were injured, according to a statement provided to WABC. There were 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board.

The airline said its maintenance team was evaluating damage to the aircraft. The FAA said it will investigate.