A Delta Air Lines flight was apparently struck by fireworks while descending into Chicago Midway International Airport during Fourth of July celebrations, prompting a federal investigation into the incident.According to news agency AP, the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 reported the incident to air traffic controllers moments before landing on Saturday night, saying the aircraft experienced a loud impact while flying at a low altitude.
Pilot reports ‘big bang’ during landing
“We just had a firework hit our plane,” the pilot told controllers, according to air traffic control audio.“We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath, but definitely felt a big bang,” the pilot added.The aircraft was descending at an altitude of about 200 to 250 feet when the incident occurred.The pilot said the crew hoped the noise had come from “just a mortar that went off,” referring to the launch tube used for aerial fireworks.Air traffic controllers responded by saying there had been “multiple reports” of similar incidents and instructed the crew to proceed to the gate for an inspection.The incident also led to a striking exchange with another arriving aircraft.According to CNN, as a Southwest Airlines flight approached Midway Airport, an air traffic controller warned the crew, “Welcome to the war zone.”“That’s reassuring,” the Southwest pilot replied.Controllers also said city officials had been informed about the potential risks posed by fireworks near arriving and departing aircraft.
Plane lands safely, no damage found
Delta Flight 1076, an Airbus A319 travelling from Atlanta with 52 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Chicago Midway shortly after 8:30 pm local time.Delta said no injuries were reported.Following the landing, airline mechanics inspected the aircraft and found no damage, AP reported.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the reported firework strike.In a statement, the FAA said, “Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 4.”The agency asked that further questions be directed to local authorities and the airline.It remains unclear whether other aircraft were struck by fireworks during the celebrations.However, air traffic controllers referred to “multiple reports” of similar encounters and indicated that Chicago city officials had been notified about the potential hazard.