Bay Area Tech CEO: Test Project May Have Impacted United Flight

On October 16, United Airlines flight 1093 departed from Denver International Airport at 5:51 AM MDT, en route to Los Angeles. The flight was diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport after an object struck the aircraft’s windshield.

Possible Cause of the Incident: WindBorne Systems

WindBorne Systems, a startup based in Palo Alto, has claimed responsibility for the object that impacted the flight. The company specializes in using atmospheric balloons for collecting weather data to enhance AI-based forecasting models. John Dean, CEO of WindBorne, confirmed via social media that the incident might be linked to one of their balloons. He stated, “We learned about UA1093 and the potential that it was related to one of our balloons at 11 PM PT on Sunday and immediately looked into it.”

WindBorne reported that at 6 AM PT, they submitted a preliminary investigation report to both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The startup is collaborating with federal agencies to further investigate the occurrence.

Investigations Underway

The NTSB has begun examining the windshield, employing radar, meteorological data, and flight recorder information to determine the nature of the object that struck the plane.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737 Max involved in the incident, has yet to comment regarding the structural integrity of their aircraft’s windshields.

WindBorne Systems’ Safety Measures

WindBorne Systems has launched over 4,000 balloons and coordinates each launch with the FAA. Following the incident, the company stated that they would “immediately roll out changes to minimize time spent between 30,000 and 40,000 feet.” They plan to use live flight data to autonomously avoid aircraft, even when flying at non-standard altitudes. Moreover, they are developing new hardware to further decrease the impact force and concentration of any future collisions.

Passenger Experience

• Flight Arrival Delay: Passengers arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:20 PM, nearly six hours late.
• Injury Report: The Salt Lake City Fire Department confirmed only one minor injury among the passengers.

The incident highlights the intersection of aviation and emerging technology, as companies like WindBorne attempt to integrate new systems while ensuring the safety of air travel. Further investigations will clarify the full circumstances surrounding this unusual event.