A Delta Air Lines flight carrying 52 passengers and six crew members was hit by a firework while descending into Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday night.
The incident occurred amid nationwide Fourth of July celebrations.
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Delta flight 1076, an Airbus A319, departed from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport at 7:51 p. m.
EDT. The pyrotechnic device struck the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 200 to 250 feet.
The plane landed safely at 8:33 p. m.
CDT.
An air traffic control recording captured the crew's reaction. "We just had a firework hit our plane," a pilot reported.
The pilot added: "We're just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang."
Prior to the collision, controllers had warned of widespread firework activity near the airport. "Delta 1076...
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use caution, there are multiple homes near the approach end shooting off fireworks," an officer said.
The controller noted the issue was widespread. "There have been multiple reports as you can imagine.
The city is aware.
They said they would notify the Chicago police, but you know, I don't know what they will do."
After landing, the jet taxied to the gate normally. No injuries were reported.
Delta stated that technical teams found no structural damage. The Chicago Police Department reported only minor paint damage from an unknown object.
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The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.
