19/10/2025
United Airlines Flight Diverts to Salt Lake City After Cockpit Windshield Crack
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, United Airlines Flight UA1093, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Denver (DEN) to Los Angeles (LAX), was forced to divert to Salt Lake City (SLC) after a crack was discovered in the cockpit windshield while cruising at 36,000 feet.
The aircraft was carrying 140 people, including 134 passengers and 6 crew members. The crew noticed the crack approximately 45 minutes after departure and made the decision to safely land at Salt Lake City International Airport. The plane touched down without incident, and emergency crews were on standby.
According to United Airlines, the crack affected one layer of the laminated windshield, and some images circulating online showed scorch marks on the glass, sparking speculation about possible space debris or a small meteorite, though official investigations have not confirmed this.
One pilot sustained minor abrasions and bruising to his arm, likely from glass dust or impact forces. No passengers were injured.
Passengers were later rebooked on another aircraft, a 737 MAX 9, to complete their journey to Los Angeles, resulting in a delay of about six hours.
Authorities and United Airlines are currently investigating the exact cause of the windshield crack, including potential thermal stress or electrical heating element malfunction, both known but rare issues in modern jetliners.
Sources: Fox13Now, One Mile at a Time, Aviation A2Z
