Heart-Stopping Video Shows Airplane Slam Truck

A bakery truck driver’s dashcam captured a plane’s tire exploding through his windshield in a split-second collision that spared 231 lives but exposed deadly risks in America’s busiest skies.

Story Snapshot

United Airlines Flight UA169 from Venice struck a light pole and H&S Bakery truck on NJ Turnpike during low approach to Newark Airport.
Driver Warren Boardley suffered minor glass cuts; plane with 221 passengers and 10 crew landed safely.
FAA and NTSB launched probes into the rare ground strike, captured in heart-pounding dashcam video.
No fatalities, but incident renews scrutiny on urban airport flight paths over highways.
Bakery executive released footage, highlighting truck driver’s miraculous survival.

Incident Unfolds on New Jersey Turnpike

United Airlines Flight UA169 descended toward Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3, 2026, around 1:58 p.m. EST. The Boeing 767 flew low over the northbound New Jersey Turnpike near Interchange 14. Its landing gear tire first clipped a light pole, snapping it. Debris then smashed into a bakery truck driven by Warren Boardley. The tire penetrated the windshield, showering him with glass. Boardley gripped the wheel through shock, escaping with cuts to his arm and hand.

The truck belonged to H&S Bakery in Baltimore, en route to a New Jersey depot with Schmidt Bakery products. Chuck Paterakis, H&S Senior VP of Transportation, released the dashcam video. Footage shows the pole hurtling toward the truck before the tire impact. Boardley received hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and was released. The plane taxied to the gate without further incident.

Airline and Authorities Respond Swiftly

United Airlines confirmed the aircraft contacted the light pole during final approach to Runway 29. Maintenance teams evaluated damage to the landing gear and underside. The airline removed the crew from service pending investigation. All 221 passengers and 10 crew remained unharmed. United emphasized the safe landing in its statement, vowing a thorough safety review.

New Jersey State Police arrived at 1:58 p.m. Their preliminary probe confirmed the plane’s gear and underside struck both the pole and truck. The fallen pole also hit a nearby Jeep. FAA verified the pole strike around 2 p.m. NTSB opened a full investigation, directing United to secure cockpit voice and flight data recorders. An NTSB investigator arrived in Newark on May 4.

Historical Risks at Newark Liberty Airport

Newark Liberty sits amid dense New Jersey Turnpike traffic, with approach paths crossing highways. Past incidents include 2023 near-collisions and light pole strikes. A 2019 JFK event saw a plane clip a vehicle without injuries. These underscore perils of urban airports. Flight UA169 followed a standard path, but factors like low altitude or gusts remain under scrutiny. No adverse weather appeared in reports.

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Stakeholders aligned without conflict. FAA and NTSB lead with authority over United. H&S Bakery focused on Boardley’s welfare and logistics recovery. Paterakis spoke for the company, prioritizing facts over blame. This cooperation reflects common-sense accountability in aviation crises.

Impacts and Future Safeguards

Short-term effects included aircraft checks, traffic delays, and Boardley’s recovery. Long-term, probes may prompt EWR approach changes if pilot error or air traffic control issues surface. Trucking firms near airports gain route awareness. Social media amplified the video, boosting public safety demands without economic fallout. Aviation experts view it as a freak event amid systemic low-flight risks, aligning with conservative emphasis on rigorous federal oversight.