Flight returns to Houston airport after windshield cracks shortly after takeoff | CNN

A Mesa Airlines flight operating for United Airlines made an emergency return to Houston after the windshield shattered shortly after takeoff, according to the airline and air-traffic-control recordings reviewed by CNN affiliate KTRK. The El Paso-bound aircraft landed safely back at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at about 1 p.m., Mesa said, with no injuries reported. A Mesa spokesperson told CNN that the first officer’s windshield broke shortly after takeoff, and while there was no depressurization, standard procedure is to return to the field. Audio indicated cabin pressurization was not lost. Houston Fire Department personnel responded and later declared the aircraft safe. Passengers were moved to a replacement flight that reached El Paso at 3:14 p.m., Flightradar24 data showed.