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November 19th, 2010
09:19 AM ET

Passenger on windshield crack: How can it happen?

On a Delta flight from Atlanta, Georgia to Orange County, California the captain came on the loud-speaker saying there was a problem in the cockpit – the cockpit windshield had cracked - and they needed to make an emergency landing in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Passenger Mike Fleming was on the flight, updating his Facebook status while it was happening and took a photo of the damaged windshield. Fleming  spoke to American Morning’s Kiran Chetry about the sudden emergency situation at 34,000 feet mid-air.

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Filed under: Air travel • TV-American Morning
soundoff (411 Responses)
  1. Sweetums

    Tks, to all who wrote the humorous comments! Made my day. To one and all remember – nobody gets out of here alive, I am like little Sig from 'What About Bob'. If we can't laugh about this stuff, the alternative is to cry. Everybody relax a little okay?

    November 19, 2010 at 2:05 pm | Report abuse |
  2. iLuvMyPlanet

    Crack was prob caused by a dirty runway strip.

    Come n be inspired! Visit http://www.iLuvMyPlanet.com!

    November 19, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  3. RJ Fischer

    Threads like this remind me how dumb people really are. For every person making an intelligent remark there are five others saying things they obviously know nothing about. Windshields cracks are uncommon, but not unheard of. They typically involve a problem with the window anti-icing (i.e. heater). You want to take care of the problem immediately (obvious), but it's not something to panic about. Any flight control or propulsion problem would be of more concern typically.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • Taco Supreme

      Windshields (sic) cracks are uncommon, but not unheard of. They typically involve windshields.

      November 19, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Joel

    They'll get someone there who likes to inspect cracks. I'm guessing it will be a TSA agent.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Me

    (MATT) how is it you have sooo much time to post hmm? Don't forget to wipe, and use soap when washimg your hands. I do not eat fast food, but I worry about those you SERVE.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:20 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Captain Ahab

    Breaking news: Passenger takes picture of a broken lavatory on a airpplane at 34,000 feet. we dont have all the details, but we do have his picture. The man who took the picture has updated his facebook and tweeted to all his freinds and family. He is thinking of suing because he really wanted to use that particular restroom.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:29 pm | Report abuse |
  7. bobington

    How did it happen? Here is a hint its glass...

    November 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
    • Havok

      that doesnt explain how it happened. if i said that i threw a pebble at a redwood tree and it fell down would you say "here's a hint, wood breaks"?

      November 19, 2010 at 2:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobington

      Here is a hint, maybe you should take a stupid off the cuff comment more seriously next time...

      November 19, 2010 at 3:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mutual Omaha

      Wood doesn't "break," it splinters, cracks, and splits. Wind breaks though.

      November 19, 2010 at 5:46 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Me

    GET REAL my comment was directed @ you, so sorry Matt. GET REAL – HOW ABOUT U TRY IT, getting real that is.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:34 pm | Report abuse |
  9. SJB

    Here is how it can happen: Old, worn out airplanes. Add to that being insulted, paying more than premium air fares, having your luggage lost, crappy food or a handful of pretzels and being fondled by "security." Thanks, I'll drive or take the train.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:37 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Sarah

    This is only news because some dude was on Facebook. I fly a lot and these kinds of things happen – it's like saying you were driving on the freeway and your tire blew – and you say, how could that happen? Thousands of planes flying – of course there are minor maintenance things or things like tire blow-outs – and they're designed to handle it stuff like this just like your car is.

    November 19, 2010 at 2:44 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Southman

    I think it was the Obama factor !!!

    November 19, 2010 at 2:47 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Name*ryan

    I used to work on jets. Been involved in a few windshield replacements. These windshield's are sometimes 3 or so inches thick and made of several layers of glass and plastic bonded together. Its very rare that one of these windows will crack through every layer. But good idea to land right away to get it checked. As a pilot as well, that would definately be scary looking right out of a cracked windshield in a preasurized cabin at 30k feet.

    November 19, 2010 at 3:01 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Kenny

    Air Force One passed this aircraft in a no passing zone at 35,000 feet and caused the cracked windshield. So I guess it's safe for Republicans to blame President Obama for this incident.

    November 19, 2010 at 3:01 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Andy

    Meteorite/fallen space junk?

    – A

    November 19, 2010 at 3:09 pm | Report abuse |
  15. StIves

    Personally, it is getting to much trouble to fly anywhere! Prices are way to high, and babbage fees have just spoil flying for many of us. A crack winshield while a pilot is flying at 34,000 feet cause me not want to fly either. Stress on planes landings and taking off around the doors and windows often are not checked that closely. It was like a movie; Air Port 75 when the big hole was in the right side co-pilot wintow. That this....way to much even if it happen just this time. We need to find a more affordable way to travel than air travel. That's my thinking right now

    November 19, 2010 at 3:13 pm | Report abuse |
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