Weather Balloon, Not Space Debris, Hit United Airlines Plane
Aircraft Collision Under Inquiry; Balloons not Initially deemed a Threat
Collision details and NTSB Investigation
The National Transportation Safety board (NTSB) is investigating a collision involving an aircraft, confirmed on Sunday, October 20, 2024. one of the pilots initially described the impacting object as “space debris,” according to reports. While the collision did not result in any fatalities,one pilot sustained cuts from small glass shards originating from the aircraft’s windshield.
WindBorne Balloons and Airspace Safety
WindBorne Systems operates a fleet of global sounding balloons, known as WindBorne Atlas, used to collect atmospheric data-including temperature, wind, and pressure-for weather modeling. Each balloon weighs approximately 2.6 pounds (1.2 kg). WindBorne maintains that its balloons do not pose a threat to aircraft, addressing this concern in a frequently asked questions section on their website WindBorne Systems FAQ.
According to WindBorne,the probability of a collision is low,and the balloons’ lightweight construction would prevent significant damage even if a collision occurred. The company also states its operations comply with all applicable airspace regulations and that it maintains open communication with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure regulatory adherence.
WindBorne provides government partners with real-time access to balloon tracking data through its proprietary software, WindBorne Live.