United Airlines jet makes emergency landing in Salt Lake City after windshield struck mid-flight

Photo: TownLift

SALT LAKE CITY — A United Airlines flight from Denver to Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Salt Lake City on Thursday after an object struck the aircraft’s windshield at high altitude, injuring the captain.

According to aviation outlet Flying Report, United Flight 1093 — a Boeing 737 MAX 8 — was cruising at 36,000 feet when the impact occurred around midday on October 16. The flight crew reported a cracked windshield and diverted safely to Salt Lake City International Airport, where emergency crews were standing by.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft landed without further incident. The captain sustained minor injuries to his arm, reportedly from flying glass when the outer pane of the windshield fractured.

 

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Photos circulating online appear to show the pilot with cuts and bruises on both arms and the cockpit strewn with glass shards. The dashboard also showed dark scorch marks near the damaged area, though it’s unclear whether those were caused by the impact or subsequent electrical damage.

In radio transmissions cited by AirLive, the captain reported being “hit by a falling object at flight level 360.” Aviation analysts say that while bird strikes and debris impacts are not uncommon at lower altitudes, an incident at that height is highly unusual.

Investigators are now working to determine what struck the aircraft. Preliminary reports have raised the possibility of space debris or a small meteorite, though officials have not confirmed that theory.

The 737 MAX 8, carrying passengers between Denver International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, remained on the ground in Salt Lake City Friday as the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began examining the damage.

No other injuries were reported. United Airlines said in a statement that it is cooperating with investigators and praised the crew for their professionalism in safely landing the aircraft.