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NTSB Probes United 737 MAX Windshield Damage After High-Altitude Diversion

The NTSB is testing the windscreen at its lab to determine whether an external strike, hail, or an electrical fault caused the crack.

Overview

  • United Flight 1093 from Denver to Los Angeles diverted to Salt Lake City on Oct. 16 after a crack formed in one layer of the cockpit windscreen.
  • The NTSB confirmed an investigation on Sunday, stating it is gathering radar, weather and flight recorder data and has sent the windscreen to its laboratory.
  • United said the jet landed safely with 134 passengers and six crew, and a replacement aircraft completed the trip to Los Angeles about six hours later.
  • Photos shared on social media appear to show cuts on a pilot’s forearm and heavy cracking near the upper inboard corner of the captain’s window, though officials have not verified the images.
  • Competing theories remain unconfirmed, with the captain reportedly mentioning ‘space debris’ while outside analysts point to high‑altitude hail and others note the possibility of an internal electrical or arcing fault.