Investigation Underway After United Airlines Flight Strikes Truck During Newark Landing

New Delhi, May 5, 2026 — A routine transatlantic flight took a terrifying turn on Sunday afternoon when a United Airlines Boeing 767, arriving from Venice, Italy, collided with a light pole and a tractor-trailer while on final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Miraculously, while the incident caused significant damage to infrastructure and vehicles, no one on board the aircraft was injured. The truck driver involved, who was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike at the time of the collision, sustained only minor injuries.

The Incident in Detail

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, United Airlines Flight 169—a Boeing 767 carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members—was completing its eight-and-a-half-hour journey from Venice. As the aircraft lined up for its approach to Runway 29, it descended to an unusually low altitude.

At approximately 2:00 PM, the aircraft’s landing gear and underside struck a light pole located near the airport’s perimeter along the New Jersey Turnpike. In a chaotic sequence of events, the damaged pole subsequently struck a Jeep traveling on the road. Almost simultaneously, the aircraft’s landing gear made contact with a tractor-trailer operated by a bakery supply company.

Despite the mid-air collision with ground infrastructure, the flight crew managed to stabilize the aircraft and complete a safe landing at the airport. The plane taxied to the gate, where passengers were able to deplane normally, seemingly unaware of the severity of what had occurred just moments earlier.

Dashcam Footage Captures the Moment

The terrifying moment was captured on the truck’s own dashboard camera. The widely shared footage shows the driver, identified as Warren Boardley of Baltimore, traveling along the turnpike. As the plane descends, a loud screech is heard, followed by the sound of glass shattering as the aircraft’s tire strikes the truck’s windshield and cab.

Mr. Boardley displayed remarkable composure, managing to pull the vehicle over safely despite the sudden impact and his injuries. He was transported to a local medical facility, where he was treated for cuts from broken glass and subsequently released.

A Formal Investigation Begins

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a rigorous investigation to determine why the aircraft was flying at such a low altitude during its approach.

As part of the standard safety protocol, the NTSB has ordered United Airlines to preserve the aircraft’s “black boxes”—the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. These devices are expected to provide critical data regarding the aircraft’s altitude, airspeed, and the actions taken by the pilots in the final moments of the flight.

United Airlines has confirmed that it is cooperating fully with authorities. In a statement released shortly after the incident, the airline noted that the flight crew has been removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation and a thorough safety review.

Looking Ahead

While aviation experts and the public alike wait for the results of the investigation, the incident has highlighted the tight proximity of the New Jersey Turnpike to the flight paths at Newark Liberty International Airport.

For the passengers on board Flight 169, the landing was initially perceived as routine, with many only realizing the gravity of the situation after receiving news reports later that day. For Mr. Boardley, the delivery driver, it was an harrowing experience that serves as a reminder of the unexpected risks that can occur in the complex environment surrounding major metropolitan airports.

Authorities have emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. Further updates are expected as investigators examine the flight data and interview the crew involved in the incident.