Overview
- A Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Reno turned back shortly after takeoff after a cockpit head‑up display came loose and struck the captain unconscious.
- A head‑up display sits in the pilot’s line of sight to show speed and altitude, so a failed mount can turn the unit into a heavy projectile.
- The first officer took control, told Las Vegas air traffic control the captain was incapacitated, and requested priority to land.
- The jet touched down about 17 minutes after departure with no passenger injuries, and medics took the captain to a hospital for observation.
- After roughly 90 minutes on the ground, the airline launched the flight with a replacement captain and reached Reno later with a delay.