A bakery truck driver’s dashcam captured a United Airlines jet’s landing gear tire exploding through his windshield in a split-second collision that could have ended in tragedy.
Story Snapshot
- United Flight UA169 from Venice struck a light pole and H&S Bakery truck on NJ Turnpike during low approach to Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Driver Warren Boardley suffered minor glass cuts to arm and hand; released from hospital quickly.
- Plane with 221 passengers and 10 crew landed safely, taxied to gate without injuries aboard.
- FAA and NTSB launched investigations; cause under review amid EWR’s history of approach risks.
- Dashcam footage from truck interior went viral, highlighting dangers of highways under flight paths.
Incident Unfolds on New Jersey Turnpike
United Airlines Flight UA169 departed Venice, Italy, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport. On May 3, 2026, around 1:50 to 2:00 p.m. EST, the Boeing 767 descended on final approach to Runway 29. The plane’s landing gear tire first clipped a light pole over the northbound New Jersey Turnpike near Interchange 14. Debris from the pole then struck a Jeep, while the tire smashed into a bakery truck’s windshield.
Warren Boardley drove the H&S Bakery truck from Baltimore, delivering Schmidt Bakery products to a New Jersey depot. Dashcam inside the cab recorded the tire penetrating the glass, showering him with shards. He sustained cuts to his arm and forearm but drove away initially before hospital evaluation. New Jersey State Police responded at 1:58 p.m., confirming the plane’s gear and underside contacted both pole and truck.
Airline and Bakery Respond Swiftly
United Airlines issued a statement confirming the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate. Maintenance teams evaluated damage to the Boeing 767, with crew removed from service pending investigation. The airline committed to a full safety review. H&S Bakery Senior VP Chuck Paterakis released the dashcam video and details, prioritizing Boardley’s welfare and logistics recovery.
Federal Aviation Administration verified the pole strike around 2 p.m. National Transportation Safety Board opened a probe, directing United to secure cockpit voice and flight data recorders. A preliminary report expects release within 30 days. New Jersey State Police conducted initial groundwork, noting no life-threatening injuries.
Newark Airport’s Persistent Approach Hazards
Newark Liberty International Airport sits amid dense airspace over the high-traffic Turnpike. Past incidents include 2023 near-collisions, light pole strikes, and runway incursions. A 2019 JFK event saw a plane clip a vehicle without injuries. These underscore urban airport risks where low-altitude paths intersect highways. Sunday’s clear weather offered no excuses; investigators eye flight path, gusts, or gear issues.
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Boardley’s survival aligns with American conservative values of personal resilience and quick federal response without overreach. Facts show no pilot error confirmed yet, but common sense demands stricter altitude buffers over populated roads. EWR’s layout demands scrutiny to prevent repeats.
Immediate and Lasting Repercussions
Short-term effects hit aircraft grounding, minor Turnpike disruptions, and Boardley’s recovery. Bakery faced delivery delays. Long-term, NTSB findings could mandate EWR approach changes if error surfaces. Aviation sector faces renewed low-level flight scrutiny; trucking firms reassess Turnpike routes near airports. Social media amplified the video, boosting public safety awareness without panic.
Sources:
Baltimore bakery truck hit by United Airlines jet on New Jersey Turnpike, video shows
