An unidentified object crashed into a Boeing 737 MAX at an altitude of 9,000 meters above sea level: there are very few possible explanations.

The incident resulted in an emergency landing.Passengers and crew are safe.Except for the captain who had a slight injury to his hand.

An object crashed into a Boeing 737 MAX at 9,000 meters above sea level: these are the possible explanations

The incident forced an emergency landing.With the exception of the captain who suffered a minor hand injury, the passengers and crew were safe.

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United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 An unknown object hit the plane while flying over Utah at an altitude of more than 9,000 meters above sea level. The incident forced the plane to change course.He alerted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is analyzing the cause of the unusual incident.

Flight 1093, which was en route between Denver and Los Angeles, was forced to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City after a severe impact on the top of the windshield.There were 134 passengers and six crew members on board, who were unharmed, although the captain suffered a minor cut on his hand.The company confirmed that the plane was diverted and passengers continued their journey without incident.

Investigation by NTSB

The first images released show cracks in the corner of the windshield and damage to the metal frame.Thanks to the multi-layer composition of the glass, only part of it was hit, which prevented depressurization in the cabin.The NTSB sent the damaged part to its labs and is collecting radar data, weather conditions and flight images to determine what kind of object caused the impact.

United Airlines flight hit by possible space object https://t.co/B8uP7gz8VH

— gizmodo (@gizmodo) October 20, 2025

According to aeronautical sources cited by specialized media, researchers are working with the following hypotheses: a weather balloon or its measuring device, a meteorite or a fragment of space debris.At the moment none of the theories have official confirmation and the presence of birds is excluded, since very few species are able to fly at 9000 meters above sea level and none of them are native or follow the migratory routes that cross the United States.

Possible effect

Los globos meteorológicos pueden alcanzar alturas similares y portar instrumentos capaces de causar daños si colisionan a velocidad de crucero, aunque no se registraron lanzamientos oficiales en la zona. La segunda hipótesis apunta a un meteorito de pequeño tamaño que podría haber penetrado la atmósfera sin desintegrarse por completo. Por último, los técnicos no descartan la posibilidad de que el avión impactara contra un resto de basura espacial, consecuencia del incremento de objetos que orbitan la Tierra.

Plane pilot wall injuries on a 2013 Denver to Los Angeles flight on a Biquis 733 service plane, and the real reason… pic.totter comprity.com/byxpryjojxz

— Ranger H (@Rangerh3338) October 19, 2025

The NTSB will issue a preliminary report in the coming weeks, while a full analysis could take more than a year.At present, the most likely hypothesis is a meteorite balloon, as it is believed that a meteorite or piece of space debris would cause much more damage to the craft due to the reentry speed at which these objects typically touch.In addition, the testimony of the captain also indicates in this direction.

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A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was struck by an unidentified object while flying over Utah at an altitude of more than 9,000 meters above sea level.The incident forced the plane to be diverted and alerted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is analyzing the cause of such an unusual occurrence.

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