Aircraft/Balloon Interface

[LME (GOD)]

Have it on good authority , that last week AA142 departing the USA, hit a weather balloon at FL150 at 320kts. No damage to the aircraft but the F/O dirtied the seat as the transmitter package bounced of the skin just above his DV window. My query is would anyone else have continued the flight to LHR, or would you have diverted for a maintenance inspection???:uhoh:

[midman]

I just missed one a few years ago over Germany at about 10 000'.

If I had hit it I would have diverted, same as if I had hit a bird. You don't know what damage might have been done.