Weather balloon shattered windshield of United Airlines flight 36,000 feet over Utah: NTSB
A recent report has revealed that a rogue weather balloon was responsible for smashing into a United Airlines jet last month, causing the windshield to shatter and glass to shower the cockpit while the plane was flying over Utah at 36,000 feet.
The incident occurred on October 16, when the balloon collided with the Boeing 737 aircraft, forcing the injured captain to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City. The captain suffered multiple lacerations from the flying glass, but fortunately, the remaining 111 passengers on board were unharmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that a WindBorne Systems global sounding balloon had launched from Spokane, Washington, and drifted south through Nevada before looping back north into Utah. The California-based aerospace company, which had lost contact with the balloon, stated that the balloons are designed to minimize damage in case of a collision with an aircraft or the ground.
While aircraft windshields are engineered to withstand a four-pound bird strike without cracking, the impact from the weather balloon caused both pilots to be showered with glass. The captain sustained superficial lacerations to his right arm, while the first officer was uninjured.
Following the incident, WindBorne Systems implemented four new safety measures to prevent further mid-air collisions. These include reducing the time balloons spend in commercial airspace, improving air traffic alerts, developing collision-avoidance algorithms, and reducing the balloons’ mass to minimize damage in case of a collision.
The NTSB investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the company expressed relief that Flight UA 1093 landed safely with minimal damage. WindBorne Systems emphasized their commitment to continuous improvement and safety, stating that the incident reinforced their dedication to strengthening safeguards for their flight systems.
Overall, the collision between the rogue weather balloon and the United Airlines jet serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring aircraft safety and implementing measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
