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Plane Collides With Weather Balloon Mid-Air
21 Nov
Summary
- A Boeing 737-8 collided with a weather balloon at 36,000 feet.
- The flight diverted to Salt Lake City, with one captain sustaining minor injuries.
- Weather balloon company WindBorne detailed new safety measures after the incident.
A Boeing 737-8 passenger jet experienced a significant midair collision with a weather balloon while cruising at 36,000 feet. The incident occurred on October 16, 2025, over Utah, forcing the United Airlines flight from Denver to Salt Lake City. The impact showered the cockpit with glass, prompting the captain to hand over control to the first officer.
The flight crew successfully diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport. While the cabin remained pressurized, the captain sustained superficial lacerations to his arm. The other 111 passengers and crew members on board were unharmed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the event, collaborating with aviation authorities and the balloon's operator.
In response, WindBorne Systems Inc., the operator of the weather balloon, detailed four new safety measures aimed at preventing future aircraft-balloon interactions. These include reducing balloon exposure in commercial airspace, enhanced air traffic coordination, active collision-avoidance systems, and optimizing payload design to lessen impact energy.
