El Paso Flight Makes Emergency Return to Houston After Windshield Shatters

HOUSTON, Texas — A Mesa Airlines flight made an emergency return to Houston after its windshield shattered shortly after takeoff, according to the airline and air traffic control recordings.

Recordings obtained by ABC News show that the aircraft did not lose pressurization after the windshield on the first officer’s side of the cockpit broke.

The plane had departed from George Bush International Airport and was headed to El Paso when the incident occurred. Airline recordings indicate that the crew landed safely and taxied to the gate without assistance.

Officials said no injuries were reported.

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Aircraft windshields and windows are built with multiple layers, meaning damage to a single layer is generally not considered a major problem, according to ABC News. In this case, however, the pilot told air traffic control that several pieces of glass were falling into the cockpit, suggesting that multiple layers had shattered.

ABC News reported that a similar incident occurred last year when a weather balloon reportedly struck and shattered the windshield of a United Airlines flight.

The cause of the damage and its full extent remain unclear. Airline officials told ABC News they are working to get the passengers to their intended destination.