NEWARK, New Jersey — A United Airlines flight arriving from Italy struck a light pole above the New Jersey Turnpike while on final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon, damaging a tractor-trailer travelling below and sending its driver to the hospital with minor injuries, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. as United Flight 169, a Boeing 767 400 traveling from Venice to Newark, was approaching Runway 29. Airport officials said the aircraft came into contact with a light pole over the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike, causing damage to both the pole and a tractor-trailer on the roadway.
Despite the collision, the aircraft landed safely. There were 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board, and no injuries were reported among those on the plane. United said the aircraft taxied to the gate normally and sustained only minor damage.
"Our maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft and we will investigate how this occurred," United Airlines said in a statement. "We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process."
The Port Authority Police Department and New Jersey State Police responded to the scene on the Turnpike. Authorities said the tractor-trailer driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
Airport officials said runway inspections were conducted immediately following the incident, and normal operations were quickly resumed.
According to Chuck Paterakis, vice president of transportation for Schmidt Bakery and owner of H&S Family of Bakeries, the tractor-trailer involved belonged to Baker's Express and was en route to deliver bread products to a Newark airport depot.
"The driver experienced a commercial plane's tires landing on the tractor or brushing the top of the tractor," Paterakis told ABC News.
The driver, Warren Boardley of Baltimore, was traveling northbound on the Turnpike at the time of the incident. Paterakis said Boardley was able to safely pull over after the strike and contact his employer.
"The trailer is not damaged, and the bread product was not touched," Paterakis said.
Boardley sustained cuts from broken glass to his arm and forearm but did not suffer serious injuries.
"Everybody, the driver and everybody on the plane, should be very fortunate," Paterakis said. "Because it could have been the opposite of what happened, and a little help from God went a long way tonight for everybody on the plane, and including the driver."
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident.
Officials with the FAA and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority were on site Sunday evening, conducting inspections and gathering evidence.
