Boeing 737 Windshield Cracks Mid-Air, Triggers 10,000 Feet Descent; What Happened Next

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 140 passengers and crew experienced a mid-air emergency when a windshield crack was detected at an altitude of 36,000 feet. On October 16, the aircraft, en route from Denver to Los Angeles, made a rapid descent of 10,000 feet. The incident left one of the pilots injured.

Fortunately, flight UA1093 landed safely at Salt Lake City International Airport. The passengers completed their journey on another aircraft thereafter.

What Happened To The Pilot?

Windshield cracks do occur in aviation but such instances are rare. However, the circumstances behind the incident and the nature of the pilots' injuries make this case particularly unusual.

Photos circulated online appear to show burn marks on the fractured windshield and visible bruising on one pilot's arm. This suggests the damage was far from a routine structural crack.

The aircraft was approximately 322 kilometres southeast of Salt Lake City when the crew noticed the damage. Acting swiftly, the pilots initiated emergency protocols, descended, and made a safe landing.

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Aviation Enthusiasts Suspect Meteorite Impact

Space debris or a small meteorite could be the reason behind the damage and unusual pattern and marks on the windshield, as per an NDTV report. United Airlines has not yet disclosed what's the reason behind the crack.

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Windshields are strong enough to tolerate pressure changes or cases of bird strike, however, an object travelling at high speeds could cause some damage.

United Airlines termed the injured pilot's condition as minor bruising.