United Airlines Plane Clips Truck, Light Post During Newark Landing

United Boeing 767 Strikes Vehicle, Light Post on Approach to Newark

May 5, 2026 — A United Airlines Boeing 767 arriving from Venice, Italy, inadvertently struck a truck and a streetlight as it approached Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Sunday, May 4, 2026, resulting in minor injuries to the truck driver.

The aircraft, carrying 231 passengers and crew, landed safely at EWR. There were no reported injuries among those on board the flight. The incident prompted an immediate response from authorities and an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Incident Details Emerge

The collision occurred as the Boeing 767 was on its final approach to the airport. According to CBS News, a BBC news partner, one of the aircraft's tires reportedly went through the truck's window and windshield. The truck driver sustained injuries to his arm and hand from flying glass and received medical treatment.

Dash camera footage from the truck captured the impact, showing glass shattering as the low-flying aircraft made contact. The truck was operating on a road in the vicinity of one of the airport's runways at the time of the incident.

Investigation Underway

United Airlines released a statement confirming it would "conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident." As part of this process, the flight crew involved has been removed from service. The airline's maintenance team is currently assessing the damage to the aircraft.

The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to Newark and has classified the event as an "accident" due to the extent of the damage incurred by the plane. The agency has also instructed United Airlines to provide the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for analysis. On Monday, May 5, the NTSB investigator began conducting interviews with the flight crew as part of the ongoing inquiry.

NTSB to Examine Multiple Factors

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill expressed relief that the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew were unharmed. The NTSB stated via a post on X that its investigation will be comprehensive, examining "multiple factors, including flight operations, meteorological conditions, human performance, crew resource management, aircraft performance and air traffic control."

The incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining clear flight paths and ensuring the safety of ground operations near active runways. Further details are expected to emerge as the NTSB's investigation progresses.