United Airlines flight turns back to Vermont airport after windshield cracks

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -- A United Airlines flight bound for Washington, D.C., was forced to turn back and land at a Vermont airport after its windshield cracked.

The pilot initially reported a bird strike but it now looks like it could be a mechanical malfunction that caused the windshield to crack, CBS affiliate WCAX reports.

One person on the aircraft tweeted a picture of the damage, calling it a "scary moment."

The incident happened Thursday when the windshield on United Airlines Flight 4331 burst into a web of cracks after takeoff. Burlington International Airport officials say the plane landed safely and nobody was hurt. The 50 passengers took another flight to Washington.

According to WCAX, Airport Manager Gene Richards said it's possible a windshield heater was left on after takeoff and that the windshield burst when it hit altitude.