UPDATE: A United Airlines flight was forced to divert to Salt Lake City after pilots discovered a crack in the windshield during a flight from Denver to Los Angeles on October 12, 2023. The incident involved United Flight 1093, which safely landed despite the alarming issue, ensuring the safety of its 134 passengers and 6 crew members.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials reported that the multilayer windshield of the Boeing 737-8 is engineered to remain operational even if one layer becomes compromised. Investigators will examine whether an object struck the windshield mid-flight, and if so, they will identify what that object was.
The NTSB confirmed that the cracked windscreen is being sent to their laboratory for further analysis. Authorities are also gathering critical data, including radar, weather conditions, and flight recorder information, to better understand the circumstances leading to the diversion.
In a statement, a United Airlines spokesperson assured the public that the aircraft landed safely in Salt Lake City, where passengers were promptly transferred to another flight bound for Los Angeles.
The urgency of this incident is heightened by the ongoing government shutdown, which has affected several NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) communications staff, potentially delaying the investigation process.
As details continue to unfold, the aviation community and passengers alike are left concerned about the safety of air travel. The NTSB is expected to conduct interviews with the flight crew to gather firsthand accounts of the situation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the NTSB works to uncover the causes behind this critical incident.