WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The pilots on a United

Airlines jet struck by an apparent weather balloon

during an October 16 flight near Moab, Utah were showered with

glass before making an emergency landing, the National

Transportation Safety Board said on Thursday.

WindBorne Systems last month said it believes one of its

balloons struck and cracked the windshield of United Flight

1093, a Boeing 737 MAX. The NTSB said the radar track of

the balloon was consistent with the United plane that was

struck.

The NTSB said "the impact resulted in both pilots being showered

with pieces of glass. The captain sustained multiple superficial

lacerations to his right arm," and the first officer was not

injured.

The NTSB said the radar track for the WindBorne

long-duration high-altitude weather balloon was consistent with

the path of the United jet. The balloon had departed Spokane,

Washington before transiting Oregon and Nevada before eventually

flying over Utah.

The captain said he noticed a distant object on the horizon

but before he could mention the object to the first officer

there was a significant impact to the windshield along with a

loud bang.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last month "in the wrong

situation could have been really devastating for the aircraft

and those on board."

The incident raised concerns the damage could have been

caused by space debris. Prior government studies have suggested

a very small risk of debris striking jets in flight.

Airplane windshields are multi-layered to prevent a loss of

cabin pressure if damaged in flight.

The NTSB said the flight had departed Denver with 112

passengers and crew. The captain declared an emergency and

diverted safely in Salt Lake City. Passengers were transported

on another aircraft to Los Angeles later that day.

WindBorne said it has conducted more than 4,000 launches

and files notice for every balloon launched with the Federal

Aviation Administration.