United Airlines Flight Hit by Weather Balloon, Pilot Injured
A United Airlines flight traveling from San Francisco to Denver experienced a cracked windshield yesterday after being struck by an object at 36,000 feet, and initial investigations now indicate the object was a weather balloon.
The incident occurred on flight UA359, a Boeing 737-800, on October 20, 2025. The pilot sustained a minor injury to their forehead as a result of the impact. Passengers described a loud bang and a spiderweb-like crack appearing in the windshield. The flight landed safely in Denver shortly after the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the event, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified. This incident highlights the potential dangers posed by objects in airspace, even at high altitudes. According to sources, the impact point was the cockpit windshield, and the aircraft was approximately 240 nautical miles northeast of San Francisco when the object struck. For more information on aviation safety, visit the Federal Aviation Administration website.
United Airlines has confirmed the incident and stated they are cooperating fully with the investigation. “Our pilots are highly trained to handle these types of situations, and we are grateful for their professionalism,” a company spokesperson said. This event underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and mitigation of risks to commercial air travel; you can learn more about the NTSB’s work in investigating aviation incidents.
Officials are continuing to analyze the debris and gather data to determine the exact type of weather balloon involved and how it entered the flight path.
