United Flight Strikes Truck on NJ Turnpike

United Airlines Flight 169 struck a light pole and a Baltimore bakery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The Boeing 767-400, originating from Venice, Italy, had 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board.

The truck driver, identified as Warren Boardley from the Baltimore area, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries from glass shards in his arm and hand. According to Chuck Paterakis, senior vice president of transportation and logistics at H&S Bakery, the truck was traveling to a bakery depot in Newark when it was hit by one of the plane's landing gear tires.

The incident also caused the light pole to strike a Jeep traveling on the turnpike. The plane landed safely and taxied to its gate without any injuries reported among passengers or crew members, as stated by United Airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that minor damage was observed on the aircraft, and normal operations at the airport were quickly resumed after an inspection for debris. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill expressed gratitude that all passengers and crew were unharmed.