• Unusual incident as plane approaches landing at Newark Airport
• Minor damage and slight injury to truck driver as airport operations continue normally

US authorities said a passenger plane carrying 221 people from Venice, Italy struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while approaching landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday.

The airline confirmed that all passengers and the 10 crew members on board were unharmed.

New Jersey State Police said the aircraft’s landing gear and lower fuselage also hit a truck traveling on the highway, causing further damage, before the light pole struck a Jeep vehicle at the scene.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that the truck driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries before being discharged after recovery.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft landed safely despite brushing a light pole during its final approach.

Officials noted that Newark’s landing path runs very close to a busy highway, with aircraft flying at low altitude over multiple traffic lanes.

Authorities confirmed the plane sustained only minor damage, the runway was inspected for debris, and normal airport operations resumed shortly after.