Terrifying Midair Incident: Pilot Injured as Plane Drops 10,000 Feet After Windshield Shatters

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8, flying from Denver to Los Angeles, faced a terrifying midair emergency on October 16 when its windshield cracked, injuring one pilot.

Flight Diverted: Emergency Landing at Salt Lake City

Flight UA1093, carrying 140 passengers and crew, was cruising at 36,000 feet when the crew detected damage to the windshield. The aircraft descended to 26,000 feet and made a safe emergency landing at Salt Lake City International Airport. At the time, the plane was about 322 kilometers southeast of Salt Lake City.

Passengers were later rebooked on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 and reached Los Angeles after a six-hour delay.

How the Windshield Cracked

Photos circulating online showed scorch marks on the cracked windshield and minor bruising on the pilot’s arm, indicating this was no ordinary crack. Aviation experts suggest the damage could have been caused by space debris or a small meteorite. Aircraft windshields are built to withstand bird strikes and pressure changes, but high-speed objects can breach them.

United Airlines confirmed that no passengers were injured, describing the pilot’s condition as minor bruising. The airline has not yet determined the exact cause of the crack.

Another Safety Incident at O’Hare

Just two days later, on October 18, another United Airlines plane experienced a minor accident at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. While taxiing, it struck the tail of another United aircraft. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all 113 passengers disembarked safely after a brief delay.