WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Pilots of 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 for the WindBorne

long-duration, high-altitude weather balloon was consistent with

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

Washington, the prior day, passing over Oregon and Nevada,

before eventually flying into airspace above Utah.

"The impact resulted in both pilots being showered with

pieces of glass. The captain sustained multiple superficial

lacerations to his right arm," the NTSB said.

The first officer was not injured.

The captain said he noticed a distant object on the horizon,

but before he could mention it to the first officer there was a

significant impact to the windshield and a loud bang.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last month the incident

"could have been really devastating for the aircraft and those

on board."

There were initial 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 to Salt Lake City. Passengers were transported

on another aircraft to Los Angeles later that day.

WindBorne previously said it has conducted more than 4,000

launches and files a notice with the Federal Aviation

Administration for every launch.

WindBorne has "implemented four additional safety measures

to further reduce the possibility of any future aircraft-balloon

interactions as well as mitigate harm should an impact occur

again," it said on Thursday.

The company also said it has cut the time spent in primary

commercial altitude bands by approximately 50% across its fleet

and is providing automated email reports every two hours for all

balloons in certain areas.