United Airlines Boeing 767 strikes bakery truck on approach to Newark
May 5, 2026
A United Airlines widebody arriving from Europe struck a light pole and a bakery truck during its final approach into Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, leaving one person injured and triggering a federal investigation.
The incident involved a United Airlines Boeing 767-400 operating Flight UA169 from Venice, Italy.
#Breaking A @united airlines plane came in just a tad low at Newark Airport in NJ hitting a light standard and truck. https://t.co/B0rejBTq0p pic.twitter.com/VGHQzavKgH
— Dave Toussaint (@engineco16) May 3, 2026
The aircraft landed safely around 2:00 p.m. with 221 passengers and 10 crew members onboard and taxied to the gate without further incident. No injuries were reported among those on the aircraft, but the jet sustained damage.
On the ground, however, a delivery truck driver suffered minor injuries when debris from a damaged light pole shattered the vehicle’s windshield.
As reported by NBC News, the Port Authority Police Department confirmed that the aircraft had “struck an object” while passing over the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike during its approach.
United 767 comes in low over the New Jersey Turnpike
That impact damaged a roadside light pole, sending debris into a tractor-trailer transporting goods for Schmidt Bakery travelling below. The driver was hurt by glass shards from the truck’s widshield striking his arm and hand, but was released from the hospital after receiving treatment.
Dashcam footage shared with NBC News recorded the aircraft’s engines roaring overhead moments before the windshield shatters. The aircraft noise and subsequent chain of events suggest the aircraft was flying too low during its final descent.
Federal investigators classify the incident as an accident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation and classified the event as an “accident” due to the level of damage to the aircraft.
An NTSB investigator is scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday. The agency has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to support the investigation. A preliminary report outlining the facts and circumstances of the…
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) May 3, 2026
Investigators arrived in Newark on Monday and have already interviewed the flight crew. The agency has also directed the airline to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder.
In a statement posted on X, the NTSB said its investigation will examine a wide range of factors, including flight operations, weather conditions, crew performance, aircraft systems and air traffic control.
The investigation will examine multiple factors, including flight operations, meteorological conditions, human performance, crew resource management, aircraft performance and air traffic control.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) May 4, 2026
A preliminary report outlining the facts of the case is expected in the coming weeks, though a full investigation could take more than a year.
Crew removed from duty as United Airlines begins internal review
United Airlines said it is cooperating fully with investigators and has launched its own internal safety review.
In a statement to NBC News, the airline said: “We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident, and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process.”
United maintenance teams are assessing the aircraft to determine the extent of the damage and the repairs required before it can return to service.
Rare aviation accident raises questions
Commercial aviation incidents involving ground strikes during approach are rare enough that they don’t warrant a distinct category in the FAA’s accidents and incidents database that would yield exact statistics.
However, a study by the Flight Safety Foundation found that unstable approaches occur on 3.5% to 4.0% of all approaches, with only 3% of these resulting in a go-around and 97% of crew continuing to land.
Sunday’s incident could have led to more serious injuries for those on the highway and the aircraft. The event raises questions about approach paths, obstacle clearance, operational safety margins, and crew response to an unstable approach near a busy airport.
Regulators and airlines will closely watch the findings from the NTSB investigation and what recommendations result as air traffic volumes continue to rise across major US hubs.
Featured Image: Dave Tuissant on X
