Overview
- On Oct. 16, a United 737 Max en route from Denver to Los Angeles was struck near Moab, Utah at about 36,000 feet, cracking a cockpit windshield and diverting to Salt Lake City.
- United said 134 passengers and six crew were aboard and reported a pilot sustained minor injuries, with no loss of cabin pressure.
- The NTSB is analyzing the removed windscreen in its lab and reviewing radar, weather, and flight‑recorder data, and it has not issued a definitive cause.
- WindBorne Systems CEO John Dean said company telemetry indicates a very likely collision with one of its roughly 2–3 pound long‑duration weather balloons, which the firm launches in coordination with the FAA.
- WindBorne has deployed software to minimize time at active flight levels and plans updates that use internet ADS‑B data to route balloons away from aircraft paths, along with hardware changes to lessen impact forces, while other explanations remain under review.