A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Memphis International Airport shortly after takeoff on December 1, 2025, due to a crack in the aircraft’s windshield. Flight UA1126 was on its way to Chicago O’Hare International Airport when the issue arose shortly after departure.
The Boeing 737-700, identified as N14735, took off at 7:34 AM, just four minutes behind schedule. As the aircraft climbed through 13,000 feet, the crew detected a crack in the first officer’s side windshield. They quickly declared an emergency, halted their ascent, and began a descent back to Memphis. The flight safely landed approximately thirty minutes later, with no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.
Immediate Actions and Replacement Flight
Upon landing, UA1126 taxied back to the gate, where passengers disembarked. United Airlines promptly arranged for a replacement aircraft, a Boeing 737-900ER designated N81449, which had arrived from Washington-Dulles. The new aircraft was prepared for departure, allowing UA1126 to finally leave Memphis at 2:04 PM, resulting in a delay of nearly six hours.
Passengers were likely compensated for the inconvenience, and United Airlines rebooked any connecting passengers on alternative flights. Chicago O’Hare, as United’s largest hub, facilitated this process without significant disruption.
Potential Risks and Future Repairs
The incident raised concerns regarding the integrity of the aircraft. A cracked windshield can severely compromise visibility for pilots and may also lead to cabin depressurization. While the exact cause of the crack remains unconfirmed, it is unclear whether it resulted from an issue with the windshield itself or from a collision with an object.
In a related past incident, a United 737 experienced a windshield shattering in mid-air after colliding with a weather balloon, which caused injuries to one of the pilots. Following this latest incident, N14735 will require repairs before returning to service. United Airlines may need to transport replacement parts to Memphis or ferry the aircraft to a maintenance facility, likely at Chicago O’Hare.
In any case, safety remains the airline’s top priority. United Airlines continues to evaluate the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
