UPDATE: A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max encountered a shocking incident midair, damaging its windscreen at 36,000 feet and injuring the captain. The flight, designated Flight 1093, took off from Denver on October 17, 2025, and was set to land in Los Angeles. Just 37 minutes into the flight, while near Moab, Utah, the aircraft began an unexpected descent.
Data from Flightradar24 indicates that after descending for about 10 minutes, the plane abruptly diverted north to Salt Lake City. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed it is investigating the incident, which may have involved the aircraft being struck by either space debris or a meteorite.
Images circulating on social media show broken glass in the cockpit alongside reports of the captain’s bloodied forearm. Aviation expert JonNYC, known for his insights on platforms like X, was among the first to report the possible causes of the damage, suggesting scorch marks visible on the aircraft could indicate a collision with a foreign object.
In a statement to Business Insider, United Airlines confirmed that the windscreen was indeed damaged but reassured that the aircraft landed safely in Salt Lake City. Passengers were transferred to a new plane, which later reached Los Angeles at 1:12 p.m. PT, significantly delayed by over five and a half hours.
The damaged windscreen is now being sent to NTSB labs for further examination as authorities gather radar, weather, and flight recorder data. United Airlines emphasized that its maintenance team is diligently working to return the aircraft to service.
This incident raises serious questions about aviation safety and the risks posed by space debris. As investigations continue, the aviation community and passengers alike will be closely monitoring updates on this unprecedented event.
Stay tuned for more breaking news on this developing story as further details emerge.
