Share and Follow
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into an incident involving a cracked windscreen.
DENVER — Transportation safety authorities have launched a probe into a cracked windscreen that prompted a United Airlines flight to alter its planned route on Thursday.
The NTSB reported that a Boeing 737 Max 8 departed from Denver International Airport at approximately 5:51 a.m.
Flight 1093, en route to Los Angeles International Airport, was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Salt Lake City International Airport when it was near Moab, Utah, due to the windscreen issue. The exact cause and extent of the crack remain under investigation.
The NTSB is currently analyzing radar data, weather conditions, and flight recorders as part of their examination of the windscreen incident.
There were no confirmed injuries due to this incident and United Airlines told outlets the plane landed safely after being diverted. Another plane arrived to take the passengers to Los Angeles.
While no information about what cracked the windscreen is available at this time, the plane is scheduled for a Sunday evening flight from Salt Lake City International Airport to Chicago Rockford International Airport, according to flight trackers.
United Airlines said the plane had 134 passengers on board and six crew members. They also said aircraft windshields are layered and are designed to function even a layer may be damaged.
No other information about the investigation is available at this time.
It comes as the government shutdown is putting strain on air traffic controllers and other parts of airports day-to-day happenings.
While air traffic controllers are considered essential by the government and required to work through a shutdown, the number of requests for sick leave tend to rise dramatically as a government shutdown drags on because they are working without pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a press conference Oct. 6 that the Federal Aviation Administration was already tracking an uptick in air traffic controllers calling out sick.
It’s unclear if the government shutdown impacts investigations conducted by the FAA or NTSB.
