URGENT UPDATE: A United Airlines flight was forced to divert to Salt Lake City after pilots detected a crack in the windshield during their journey from Denver to Los Angeles. The incident occurred on October 5, 2023, as flight 1093 was cruising near Moab, Utah.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed they are investigating the incident, stating that the multilayer windshield is engineered to remain functional even if one layer is compromised. Officials are now examining whether an object struck the windshield mid-flight.
Witnesses onboard reported a tense atmosphere as the aircraft made an emergency landing. Fortunately, all 134 passengers and 6 crew members were safely transferred to another aircraft after landing in Salt Lake City.
The NTSB is actively gathering radar, weather data, and flight recorder information to determine the cause of the crack. They will also be interviewing the pilots to assess their observations during the flight.
As the investigation unfolds, the NTSB emphasizes the importance of understanding whether external factors contributed to the damage. The windscreen has been sent to their laboratory for detailed examination.
This incident comes amid a government shutdown affecting some NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) communications staff, potentially complicating the investigation process.
Stay tuned for further updates as officials continue to analyze the situation and ensure the safety of future flights.
