Delta flight – A Delta Air Lines pilot reported a firework hit their plane during descent into Chicago Midway on July 4, citing a loud “bang” around 200 feet above the runway. Chicago police said the aircraft suffered minor paint damage from an unknown object, while Delta an
The night skies around Chicago Midway were still glowing when a Delta aircraft came in low—about 200 feet above the ground—then, in an instant, the sound changed.
As the crew approached the runway on July 4, a Delta Air Lines pilot on flight 1076 told air traffic controllers that they “just had a firework hit our plane,” adding that the crew was “just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang.”
In air traffic control audio published to social media. the exchange captures the moment the crew tried to determine what they’d felt while moving through the final stage of descent into Chicago Midway International Airport. A controller replied that there had been “multiple reports” of fireworks near the airport and that they had notified Chicago police.
The Chicago Police Department later 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 flight safely landed and taxied to the gate, and that no damage was found during an inspection by mechanics. The airline said the plane landed without incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident, while deferring to local authorities and Delta for further information.
Taken together. the timeline leaves little room for doubt about the key facts: the crew reported a firework strike during descent. controllers referenced multiple reports near the airport and alerted Chicago police. police described minor paint damage. and Delta reported a safe landing with no damage found after inspection. The only uncertainty going forward is what exactly caused the impact the crew felt in that critical window of approach.
Delta Air Lines Chicago Midway FAA investigation fireworks air traffic control audio flight 1076 aviation incident Chicago Police Department July 4