NTSB determines weather balloon caused cracked windshield, forcing flight to divert to SLC
Nov 20, 2025, 4:49 PM
FILE - A Boeing 737 Max jet prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle, Sept. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — The National Transportation Safety Board has released its findings on what caused the cracked windshield, forcing a United flight to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City in October.
The Boeing 737 was heading from Denver to Los Angeles on October 16 when something hit the windshield, cracking it as they flew over Moab. The captain and the first officer were showered in glass, and had to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City. The captain had cuts on his arm, but no else suffered any injuries.
The NTSB released their report Thursday, confirming that the mysterious object in the air was a weather balloon. Windborne Systems reported one of their balloons went missing in Utah around the time of the collision.
The report points out Windborne’s balloons are small, unmanned devices, designed to minimize harm if there is an impact. Still, it cracked a six-layered windshield that is supposed to be able to withstand a four-pound bird strike. That broken windshield has now been sent to the NTSB’s lab for a closer look.
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