NewsLover writes ”
Airlines were investigating why windshields on at least 13 planes cracked at Denver International Airport as winds of up to 100 mph whipped through the foothills in Colorado.
SkyWest Airlines reported cracked windshields on 8 planes that were taking off or landing Friday as winds gusted up to 50 mph, spokeswoman Marissa Snow said. One plane’s windshield cracked while it was airborne.
SkyWest, a regional carrier for United Airlines, said the planes involved were the Embraer EMB120 Brasilia and Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet, though she did not immediately have numbers.
Two Frontier Airlines Airbus planes had their windshields crack while airborne, while two other windshields cracked while at the gate, airline spokesman Joe Hodas said.
In all instances the planes returned to the airport and/or made it to the gate safely. No emergencies were declared and no injuries were reported.
Hodas said it was unclear whether the high winds were to blame. “It’s not exactly unusual weather for Denver,” Hodas said. “We don’t know what it is… It’s kind of a mystery at this point.”
Spokesman Steve Snyder said windshields cracked on several different makes and models of airplanes from several airlines, though he did not immediately know which and how many. None of the pilots reported flying debris, Snyder said.