United Airlines pilot injured when mystery object smashes windshield at 36,000 feet
A United Airlines pilot was injured and forced to make an emergency landing after a mystery object smashed the windshield of a Boeing 737 at 36,000 feet.
Photos circulating online reportedly show the pilot’s arms bleeding and bruised, with injuries consistent with glass cuts.
Broken glass also covered the dashboard and cockpit. Other photos show what appear to be scorch marks at the point of impact.
United Flight 1093 from Denver to Los Angeles had to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
Some online observers suggested that the strike might have been the result of space debris or even a meteor hitting the jet.
The Federal Aviation Administration placed the probability of space debris causing serious injury to a commercial airline passenger at 1 trillion to 1 in a 2023 report.
Experts said the windshield crack could be explained by an electrical malfunction, but the scorch marks and the broken glass indicate the plane was likely hit by something.
Birds, hail, and other objects tend to collide with planes at lower altitudes.
What makes this reported incident different is that the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was at cruising altitude — far above those concerns.
“On Thursday, United flight 1093 landed safely in Salt Lake City to address damage to its multilayered windshield. We arranged for another aircraft to take customers to Los Angeles later that day and our maintenance team is working to return the aircraft to service,” United said.
The plane remains grounded in Salt Lake City, according to reports.
The amount of space debris circling the Earth continues to grow, with NASA tracking over 25,000 pieces of space debris larger than 4 inches.
Parents Stunned When They See Newborn Daughter For The First Time, But Here’s What She Looks Like Now
Nicole Hall, a determined mother, is on a mission to celebrate her daughter’s extraordinary beauty and individuality.
Her 13-month-old daughter, Winry, was born with a rare congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN), a distinctive birthmark that sets her apart from other children. Initially, Nicole and her husband were taken aback by the birthmark’s appearance, with Nicole admitting, “When they first handed her to me, I thought it was a bruise, but it was quickly apparent that it was not. It resembled a mole.”
Newborn girl Winry wrapped in a blanket smiling, Photo Credit: nicolelucashall/Instagram
According to a report from the National Organization for Rare Diseases by Dr. Harper Price of Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Dr. Heather Etchevers of Marseille Medical Genetics, CMN can manifest as light brown to black patches and can cover various sizes and areas of the body.
Instead of succumbing to sadness about her daughter’s condition, Nicole turned to the power of social media to raise awareness about CMN and send an essential message: “Being different is your superpower.” She aims to enlighten those who have not previously come across such a birthmark and to offer support and representation to children and parents facing comparable challenges.
Nicole Hall holding her daughter Winry, Photo Credit: nicolelucashall/Instagram
While Winry’s CMN diagnosis may heighten her risk of melanoma, Nicole’s primary concern is the potential for bullying as her daughter grows older. To protect Winry, she diligently takes extra precautions like applying sunscreen and ensuring she wears protective hats. Regular dermatology appointments will be crucial as Winry grows.
However, what truly distinguishes Winry is her vibrant personality. Nicole describes her as an exuberant baby who radiates happiness. Winry is known to be a chatterbox, already displaying a bit of feistiness. Her family anticipates they will have their hands full with this spirited and lovable child.
A smiling Winry playing with a doll, Photo Credit: nicolelucashall/Instagram
Nicole’s TikTok account has amassed a substantial following, enabling her to connect with people from around the world who share similar experiences with CMN. This digital community has evolved into a platform for support and understanding, reinforcing the message that embracing one’s uniqueness is empowering and beautiful. In Nicole’s words, “This is a good conversation for parents with their children to see kids have differences, or for those parents who do have a kid that looks like Winry or has any kind of birthmark to see their child represented.”
A smiling Winry holding her doll in a park, Photo Credit: nicolelucashall/Instagram
The story of Nicole and Winry exemplifies a mother’s unwavering commitment to her daughter’s well-being, promoting awareness, and celebrating the extraordinary beauty found in diversity.
