A delivery truck driver walked away with minor injuries after a dramatic incident at Newark Airport in New Jersey. His truck was clipped by a United Airlines jet as it landed. The plane, arriving from Venice, Italy, hit the truck with its landing tire and also grazed a light pole that fell onto a nearby Jeep.
The driver, Warren Boardley, suffered cuts from broken glass. Fortunately, he was treated at a hospital and released shortly after. Boardley was driving an H&S Bakery truck loaded with bread when the mishap occurred on a busy stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike.
Dashcam footage from Boardley’s truck captures the moment of impact. Before the crash, he was singing to himself and appearing relaxed. Suddenly, a loud screeching noise fills the video, followed by a chaotic crash and debris flying everywhere. After regaining his composure, he managed to pull over and call for help.
“This could have been much worse,” said Chuck Paterakis, Vice President of H&S Family of Bakeries. He expressed gratitude that both Boardley and everyone on the plane were okay, highlighting the luck involved in avoiding a more serious outcome.
For context, Newark Airport’s main runway is located close to the busy Turnpike, forcing planes to fly low overhead. This can contribute to the possibility of accidents. Following the incident, airport operations resumed after officials inspected the runway for safety.
United Airlines initiated a thorough safety investigation. Their maintenance team is inspecting the aircraft to assess any potential damage. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also looking into the situation, sending investigators to Newark to review flight data and cockpit recordings.
Interestingly, this event comes just a month after another serious accident at LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck, leading to tragic consequences. In a similar vein, a mid-air collision over the Potomac River in 2022 killed over 60 people, reminding us of the inherent risks in aviation.
Given the busy nature of air traffic and roadways near airports, safety measures must continually evolve. As incidents like these occur, they spark discussions in aviation circles about improving precautions and protocols.
Overall, while the outcome here was fortunate, it highlights the vital importance of safety in both aviation and transportation. It serves as a reminder that vigilance is key in preventing potential disasters.
For more about safety regulations and aviation incidents, you can visit NTSB for detailed reports and recommendations.
