A United Airlines flight was forced into an emergency landing after a mysterious object shattered the cockpit window mid-air, injuring the pilot.
Flight UA1093, traveling from Denver to Los Angeles, was diverted to Salt Lake City after the incident occurred at 36,000 feet — an altitude where bird or debris strikes are considered extremely rare. The pilot sustained injuries from shattered glass, with photos showing blood on his arm and fragments across the cockpit controls.
Images from the scene also revealed apparent burn marks at the impact site, prompting speculation about what struck the aircraft. Aviation experts say typical hazards like birds or hail occur at much lower altitudes, making this high-altitude incident highly unusual.
While an electrical fault hasn’t been ruled out, the evidence suggests a collision with a solid object. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted that the odds of space debris hitting a commercial jet are about one in a trillion.
United Airlines confirmed the emergency landing, stating the aircraft sustained “damage to a multi-layer windshield” and that passengers were safely transferred to another plane.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 remains grounded in Salt Lake City while maintenance crews investigate and repair the damage.
