WindBorne Systems has identified its high-altitude weather balloon as the likely object that impacted a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8. This incident occurred on October 16, 2025, when flight UA1093 was traveling from Denver (DEN) to Los Angeles (LAX). At approximately 36,000 feet (10,900 meters), the aircraft was struck by the balloon, prompting a diversion to Salt Lake City (SLC) for a safe landing.
Details of the Incident
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N17327, experienced an unexpected collision during its flight. After the impact, the crew successfully diverted to SLC, where one pilot sustained a minor arm injury. Fortunately, all passengers were later accommodated on a replacement aircraft.
Initial Investigations
Initially, there were speculations that the damage could have resulted from space debris or a meteorite. This prompted an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
WindBorne’s Response
In a statement issued on October 21, WindBorne acknowledged its potential involvement. CEO John Dean confirmed that telemetry data indicated one of their balloons likely intersected with the flight path of UA1093 over Utah. He expressed concern over the incident’s implications, stating, “Extremely concerning and unacceptable,” especially with visible damage to the cockpit windshield.
Operational Changes and Safety Measures
WindBorne has completed over 4,000 launches and typically coordinates with the FAA. They file NOTAMs for each balloon deployment, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Each balloon weighs approximately 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg) at launch and adheres to FAA Part 101 and ICAO weight limits.
- Immediate software updates to minimize flight time between critical altitudes.
- Accelerated integration of live flight-data to avoid aircraft collisions.
- Development of new hardware to reduce impact force.
Ongoing Coordination with Authorities
WindBorne continues to collaborate with the NTSB and FAA as these agencies conduct their investigations into the incident. Although repairs related to the United aircraft are being managed, the full cause of the collision remains unconfirmed.
As the investigation unfolds, WindBorne’s commitment to safety and operational improvements is evident. John Dean reaffirmed the company’s dedication to ensuring that such incidents do not jeopardize human life.
