A United Airlines 767-400ER on approach to Newark’s Runway 29 from Venice struck a light pole and possibly a bread delivery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike before landing. While the precise nature of the damage to the truck is not yet fully known, the driver suffered minor injuries from broken glass. The NTSB has noted that the aircraft struck a light pole, but has not confirmed the aircraft itself actually struck the truck. Due to the amount of damage sustained by the aircraft, the NTSB has classified this as an accident.
United flight UA169 | Venice to Newark
United flight UA169 was on approach to Newark’s Runway 29 at the time of the accident. Runway 29 is the airport’s shorter runway and often used by larger aircraft in the event of unfavorable wind conditions that make Runway 22R/4L unsuitable. The aircraft’s altitude reported by ADS-B, which is the barometric altitude above mean sea level (AMSL) reported at standard pressure, was 75 feet. This is the not the altitude above ground level at which the aircraft was flying. That data will be available from the radar altimeter when the NTSB issues its report.
Security camera video of the collision
Harrowing new video shows the near-disaster moment a United passenger jet hit a semi-truck and light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while landing at Newark Airport. Amid questions over why the pilots came in so low over the turnpike, @GioBenitez reports. https://t.co/3ATQJsN0Vn pic.twitter.com/QPCuw7MNmz
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 6, 2026
Photos of damage to the truck, light pole, and aircraft
New images show some of the damage from Sunday’s collision between a 767 and semi and a light pole along the New Jersey Turnpike. I’m including a gash in the side of the airplane. pic.twitter.com/rx4Nwbf28g
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) May 4, 2026
Aircraft information
United Airlines flight 169 from Venice to Newark was operated by a 767-400ER registered N77066. The aircraft was delivered new to Continental Airlines in 2002 and transferred to United upon the merger of the two airlines in 2011.
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