Particle.news
Download on the App Store

United Flight Diverts to Salt Lake City After Cockpit Strike as Probe Eyes Weather Balloon

Investigators are assessing a possible link to a WindBorne weather balloon.

Overview

  • United 1093, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Denver to Los Angeles, diverted and landed safely in Salt Lake City after an in-flight impact.
  • The strike cracked a layer of the multi-layer cockpit windshield and left a pilot with minor injuries, according to reports.
  • WindBorne’s CEO said the jet may have hit one of the company’s long-duration weather balloons and said the firm is cooperating with NTSB and FAA inquiries.
  • Passengers were transferred to another flight to Los Angeles after a delay, and the damaged aircraft remains grounded for inspection.
  • The NTSB opened an investigation to determine the cause, and the FAA said a space-debris strike is considered exceedingly unlikely.