A United Airlines jet tire smashed through a bakery truck’s windshield on the New Jersey Turnpike, exposing dangerous flaws in federal aviation oversight that endanger everyday Americans.
Story Snapshot
- United Flight 169 flew dangerously low over the busy NJ Turnpike, detaching a tire that struck driver Warren Boardley, causing minor injuries.
- Plane’s underside clipped a light pole, which hit a Jeep; aircraft landed safely with 231 aboard unharmed.
- FAA and NTSB investigating possible pilot error or approach deviation near Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Incident renews concerns over airport proximity to highways, echoing past near-misses and highlighting regulatory shortcomings.
Incident Details
United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767 from Venice, Italy, approached Newark Liberty International Airport around 1:50 PM on a Sunday. The jet flew extremely low over the northbound New Jersey Turnpike near Exit 14B. Its landing gear tire and underside struck a light pole. The pole then impacted a Jeep, while the detached tire smashed through the windshield of an H&S Bakery delivery truck for Schmidt Bakery. Driver Warren Boardley suffered minor cuts from glass shards but survived. The plane landed safely two minutes later, with all 221 passengers and 10 crew uninjured. Dashcam footage captured the chaos on this high-traffic corridor.
Stakeholders Respond
United Airlines stated the aircraft landed safely and maintenance teams evaluated damage. No prior mechanical issues appeared on the long-haul flight. H&S Bakery Senior VP Chuck Paterakis confirmed Boardley received treatment for arm and hand cuts; the trailer remained intact. New Jersey State Police verified the tire and pole collision sequence. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey oversaw the site, a busy area paralleling EWR runways. Boardley, the primary victim, now recovers while his employer eyes liability claims against United and insurers.
Investigation Underway
The FAA launched a probe into the approach violation, reviewing radar data for deviations. NTSB investigators deployed to EWR the following day for root cause analysis, focusing on altitude lapses potentially from pilot error, wind shear, or path issues. The aircraft stayed grounded for repairs, estimated at 1-2 weeks. No runway closures occurred, and Turnpike traffic resumed after brief delays. As of May 4, 2026, no major updates emerged, suggesting the probe concluded as minor with no open dockets.
WATCH: United Jet Wheel Falls From Sky and Smashes Truck on New Jersey Turnpike https://t.co/HX4aEueVHH
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) May 4, 2026
Broad Implications
This near-miss underscores risks from EWR’s runway alignment with the Turnpike, a setup handling 45 million passengers yearly. Past incidents, like a 2023 Delta wingtip strike at EWR and 2018 United low flight near Denver, prompted FAA actions including pilot sanctions. Experts note the approach dipped 50-100 feet below glide slope, possibly involving wind or TCAS. While aviation maintains a 99.999% safety record, such events fuel bipartisan frustration with federal agencies failing to protect working Americans from elite-managed risks. Enhanced monitoring like ADS-B could prevent repeats, aligning with demands for accountable government prioritizing citizen safety over bureaucracy.
Sources:
CBS12 article: United plane wheel strikes light pole and crashes into bakery truck on NJ Turnpike
