United Flight’s Newark Landing Incident: Aircraft Contacts Light Pole on New Jersey Turnpike, Reports FAA

NEWARK, N.J. – A United Airlines jet experienced a close call at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday when it collided with a light pole situated on the nearby New Jersey Turnpike, prompting an investigation by federal authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the incident occurred around 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The Boeing 767, operating as United Airlines Flight 169, had just completed its journey from Venice, Italy, and had landed safely.

In a statement from United Airlines, it was noted that Flight 169 made contact with a light pole during its final approach to Newark.

“Despite the contact, the aircraft landed without issues, taxied to the gate as usual, and thankfully, no passengers or crew members suffered any injuries,” the airline stated.

United Airlines also mentioned that their maintenance team is currently assessing the extent of the damage to the aircraft. Additionally, the flight crew has been placed on leave as the airline conducts a thorough investigation into the flight safety protocols.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement posted on X that it had opened an investigation of the incident. It said an NTSB investigator would arrive in Newark on Monday and that it had directed United to provide the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder for the investigation. A preliminary report was expected within 30 days, it said.