• A United Airlines 737's windshield shattered at 36,000 feet, prompting an emergency landing.
• The incident occurred during Flight 1093 from Denver to Los Angeles on October 16.
• The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause, speculating on possible space debris.

A United Airlines pilot faced a distressing situation on October 16 when an unidentified object struck the windshield of Flight 1093 while flying at 36,000 feet, causing the pilot to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City. The incident left the cockpit covered in shattered glass and resulted in injuries to the pilot, including visible cuts and bruises on his arms, as per reports from various sources and shared photos according to Indiatimes and Los Angeles Times.

The aircraft, en route from Denver to Los Angeles, diverted to Salt Lake City after the windshield was damaged near Moab, Utah. Passengers reported a tense atmosphere, fearing for their safety, with one stating, “We could go down at any time.” Despite the incident, all 140 aboard were safely transferred to another flight later that day according to SFGATE and Los Angeles Times.

The NTSB has initiated an investigation, utilizing data from radar, weather, and flight recorders, while the damaged windscreen is sent to their lab for further analysis. Experts have theorized that a potential space debris strike could be the culprit, although the chances of such an event are exceedingly low, estimated at one in a trillion, based on a recent FAA report according to Indiatimes, SFGATE, and Los Angeles Times.