Firework Hits Plane
Delta Flight 1076 Struck by Firework While Landing at Midway, Lands Safely on July 4
Key Points
Delta Flight 1076 departed ATL at 7:36 p.m. ET and landed at Chicago MDW at 8:38 p.m. CT, according to FlightAware data cited by Newsweek.
The pilots told air traffic control, 'we just had a firework hit our plane' during the approach.
ATC audio indicated there were 'multiple' reports of fireworks in the area and that authorities had been notified.
The incident occurred on July 4 amid widespread Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks reported in the vicinity of the approach.
A Delta Air Lines jet was struck by a firework while descending into Chicago Midway International Airport on July 4, sending a jolt through the cockpit and prompting an immediate call to air traffic control. The pilots of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, "we just had a firework hit our plane," according to CBS News. No one was injured, and the plane landed safely.
The incident happened around 8:40 p.m. local time, about 200 feet above the ground during the final approach, according to Daily Mail. The flight had departed Atlanta at 7:36 p.m. ET and landed at Midway at 8:38 p.m. CT, per FlightAware data cited by AJC.
Pilots Radioed Controllers Seconds After Impact
The crew of Flight 1076 reported the strike almost immediately. ATC audio captured the pilots telling controllers a firework had hit the aircraft mid-approach. Controllers responded by noting "multiple" reports of fireworks in the area near Midway. Authorities on the ground were notified right away, according to CBS News.
Despite the loud bang and the mid-air strike, the crew kept the plane on course. The Airbus A319 touched down without incident. There was no emergency declaration, and all passengers and crew were safe, according to Daily Voice.
Delta Pulled the Plane for a Full Damage Inspection
After landing, Delta took the aircraft out of service immediately. The airline said the plane would undergo a full inspection to check for any structural damage before it could fly again. Delta confirmed the safe landing and said the safety of passengers and crew was its top priority, according to AJC.
The FAA confirmed it was aware of the incident, according to Daily Voice. It is standard procedure for regulators to review any report of an object striking an aircraft during flight operations.
Fourth of July Fireworks Created Hazards Near Midway
Chicago Midway sits in a dense urban neighborhood on the city's southwest side. On the night of July 4, fireworks were going off across the metro area as residents celebrated the holiday. Air traffic controllers noted the fireworks activity near the airport's approach path, according to Daily Mail.
Fireworks and aircraft rarely mix, but Midway's location makes it especially vulnerable during holiday celebrations. The airport is surrounded by residential blocks where backyard and street-level fireworks are common every Fourth of July.
FAA Now Investigating the Midway Firework Strike
The FAA confirmed the strike and said it is looking into the incident, according to Daily Voice. Shooting fireworks near an airport or into active airspace is illegal under federal law. Anyone found responsible could face serious federal penalties.
It remains unclear who launched the firework or where exactly it came from. No arrests have been reported. The FAA investigation is ongoing, and Delta has not said how long the aircraft will remain grounded for inspection, according to CBS News.
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