Key Takeaways

  1. A cracked cockpit window on a United Airlines flight led to a change of route to Salt Lake City during a flight from Denver to Los Angeles.
  2. The incident occurred at approximately 36,000 feet over Utah and is under investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
  3. The damage to the cockpit window suggests a possible impact with a fast-moving object, and the flight captain sustained minor cuts from the shattered glass.
  4. The NTSB is collecting data and examining the damaged windscreen, exploring various scenarios, including the possibility of space debris.
  5. If confirmed as a meteor strike, this would be a rare case of a commercial aircraft being hit by a natural object from space.

A cracked cockpit window caused a United Airlines flight from Denver to Los Angeles to change its route to Salt Lake City. This event, which took place at approximately 36,000 feet over Utah, is currently under investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Only the flight captain was hurt.

Photos Show Damage

Images shared online reveal a break in the upper-right section of the cockpit's glass, indicating a possible impact with an object traveling fast. Additional pictures indicate that the flight captain suffered minor cuts from the shattered glass. Thankfully, the United Airlines Boeing 737 Max did not experience a loss of cabin pressure, which is attributed to the use of multi-layer laminated glass.

Investigation Underway

The NTSB has announced on X that it is “collecting radar, weather, and flight recorder data.” The agency has also obtained the damaged windscreen for close examination and structural testing.

The pilot has referred to the object as space debris, but investigators are looking into multiple scenarios.

Potential Outcomes

As mentioned before, the NTSB plans to carefully examine the cracked glass and look for microscopic traces. They will also search for clues in any residue. If it is confirmed to be a meteor, this incident would be documented as one of the rare instances where a commercial aircraft has been struck by a natural object from space.

NTSB on X

Source: Link