A United Airlines Boeing 777 descending into Newark Liberty International Airport lost a landing gear wheel that plummeted onto the New Jersey Turnpike on Monday morning. The heavy component struck a moving tractor-trailer, causing significant damage to the vehicle's cab while the driver was still inside.
Dashcam footage from a nearby motorist captured the terrifying moment the wheel smashed through the truck's front window. Miraculously, the truck driver survived the impact without life-threatening injuries despite the sheer force of the falling debris.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft also clipped a light pole during its final approach to the runway shortly after the wheel detached. The flight crew managed to land the plane safely at Newark, where emergency responders were already waiting on the tarmac.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an immediate investigation into the mechanical failure that led to the mid-air detachment. This incident marks the third major maintenance-related scare for the airline in the past six months, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
United Airlines issued a statement expressing regret for the incident and promised full cooperation with federal investigators. Maintenance crews are currently inspecting the entire fleet of similar aircraft models to ensure no other landing gear assemblies are compromised.
Traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike remained heavily congested for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage and debris. State police have cordoned off the area where the wheel landed to preserve evidence for the ongoing safety probe.
Aviation experts suggest that a failure of the axle nut or a bearing seizure could be the primary cause of the wheel's separation. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within the next thirty days to address these technical concerns.
Local residents expressed shock at the event, noting that the flight path over the turnpike is one of the busiest in the nation. Safety advocates are now demanding a comprehensive review of aging aircraft components to prevent similar occurrences in the future.