UA1093 - Windshield Cracks at Altitude

United Airlines flight UA1093 departed Denver International Airport (DEN) at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time on 16 October 2025 bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Boeing 737‑8 MAX (registration N17327) was carrying 134 passengers and six crew members. While cruising at 36 000 feet over Utah, the cockpit windshield suddenly cracked. The flight crew declared an emergency and initiated a descent to 26 000 feet to minimize stress on the structure. Some speculation arose that an object such as space debris or a weather balloon may have struck the glass. The aircraft diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and landed without further incident. None of the 134 passengers and six crew were seriously hurt, though one pilot sustained a minor cut from shards of glass. The aircraft remained in Salt Lake City for repairs. The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines initiated an investigation into the cause of the windshield failure.