Plane hit by firework while landing at Chicago airport on Fourth of July

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a plane was struck by a firework near Chicago’s Midway Airport on the Fourth of July.

According to the FAA, the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 reported that a fireworks mortar struck the aircraft just before it landed at Midway Airport around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. In an audio recording published online by LiveATC.net, the pilot described feeling “a big bang” on the plane.

According to the recording, the incident occurred when the plane was flying at an altitude of 200 to 250 feet. The pilot said the crew hoped the bang “was just a mortar that went off,” referencing the tube that helps launch aerial fireworks.

The commercial airliner landed safely without incident.

A statement from Delta said the plane was coming in from Atlanta carrying 52 passengers and six crew members and confirmed that it made contact with a firework.

Chicago police said the aircraft sustained “minor paint damage,” and no injuries were reported.

It’s unclear if fireworks struck other airplanes on Saturday. In the LiveATC.net audio, an air traffic controller was heard saying there had been “multiple reports” of such encounters and that Chicago city officials were aware.

The FAA did not immediately respond to questions about whether it was aware of additional firework-related incidents impacting Saturday flights.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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