Officials Say 14 Planes Around DEN Were Affected

Authorities remain mystified as to what caused 22 front and side windscreens to crack on at least 14 planes at Denver International Airport last week. There are several theories... and the National Transportation Safety Board has called in a glass specialist to sort them out.

"We are not discounting anything," FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer told Denver's KMGH-7. "We believe it is very remarkable to have this number of events in the same area at the same time."

As Aero-News reported, over a dozen planes suffered cracked windshields within a 90 minute period last Friday, during a strong snowstorm around DEN. Nine regional airliners belonging to SkyWest Airlines were affected, as were four Frontier Airlines planes and one Great Lakes Airlines turboprop.

It apparently didn't matter if the planes were on the ground, at the gate, or in the air; officials say planes were hit with the problem both in the air, and on the ground.

DEN spokesman Chuck Cannon called the incidents "baffling." Officials have theorized winds in excess of 50 miles per hour, rapid temperature changes, and a sudden drop in air pressure could have contributed to the incidents.

One possible cause has been ruled out, however, said NTSB investigator Jennifer Kaiser. There were no reports that flying debris struck any of the planes.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.flydenver.com/