Driver on N.J. Turnpike hurt as United plane hits pole on approach to Newark airport - NBC News

A United Airlines plane hit a light pole during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, injuring a driver on the New Jersey Turnpike and damaging the aircraft, officials said Sunday.

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Flight UA169, a Boeing 767 carrying 221 passengers and 10 crew members, “struck an object over the southbound New Jersey Turnpike, causing damage to a light post and a tractor trailer traveling south on the turnpike,” the Port Authority Police Department said.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed that a piece of the light pole struck the vehicle. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and has been released, police said.

The flight originated in Venice, Italy, and landed around 2 p.m., the department said. It landed safely and taxied to the gate normally, with no injuries reported on board, a United Airlines spokesperson said.

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In dashcam video shared with NBC News, a loud whizzing sound can be heard before glass breaks as a piece of the light pole hits the truck while the driver is traveling on the turnpike.

Chuck Paterakis, who oversees transportation for Schmidt Bakery, said the driver was transporting products from the company when the incident occurred.

Paterakis said the driver's injuries included glass in an arm and a hand.

“It’s a miracle,” Paterakis told NBC News. “It could have been traumatically worse.”

Port Authority police said the plane sustained minor damage, and United said its maintenance team was evaluating the aircraft.

“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 airline said.

Airport staff members inspected the runway for debris, and normal operations at Newark “quickly resumed,” Port Authority police said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed they are investigating.

An investigator arrived Monday to interview the flight crew, the NTSB said.

It said the incident has been classified as an accident "due to the extent of damage to the airplane." Its preliminary report is expected within 30 days.

Joe Kottke is an assignment editor at NBC News covering domestic news, including politics, immigration, crime, entertainment and severe weather.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Emma Caughlan is an assignment editor for NBC News’ New York bureau.