JACKSONVILLE, FL — A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 encountered a high-speed bird strike during its departure from Jacksonville International Airport on Saturday morning, striking the captain’s windshield before successfully completing its flight to Houston.
Flight UA2453 departed Jacksonville (JAX) at 06:50 EST bound for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. As the aircraft was accelerating down Runway 26 at approximately 100 knots, a bird struck the left side of the cockpit, directly impact-testing the captain’s windshield during the critical takeoff roll.
Despite the impact at high speed, the flight crew proceeded with the departure safely. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 registered under tail number N37545, continued its climb out of the Jacksonville airspace, reaching a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet.
Modern commercial aircraft windshields are engineered using reinforced multi-layer laminated glass designed to withstand severe strikes at operational speeds. Following standard operating procedures, the flight crew monitored aircraft instruments and pressurization levels before continuing on the scheduled flight path across the Gulf region.
Flight UA2453 touched down safely at Houston Intercontinental Airport 2 hours and 18 minutes after departure. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, and the aircraft was taxied to the gate normally for post-flight inspection and maintenance evaluations.
