A Delta Air Lines pilot reported that their plane was potentially struck by a firework during its descent into Chicago Midway International Airport on July 4, according to air traffic control audio and the airline.
Incident Details
The crew of flight 1076 radioed the control tower as they were approaching the runway and were about 200 feet above ground, according to audio published to social media. The pilot told air traffic controllers, “We just had a firework hit our plane. We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang.”
A controller responded that there had been “multiple reports” of fireworks near the airport and that they had notified Chicago police. The Chicago Police Department said in a statement that a plane was “struck by an unknown object” that caused “minor paint damage.”
Delta said in a statement that the plane landed without incident and that no damage was found during an inspection by mechanics. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident but deferred to local authorities and Delta for further information.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
