Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 was struck by a firework while landing at Chicago's Midway International Airport on Saturday night during Fourth of July celebrations; the plane landed safely and there were no injuries.
The Airbus A319 was carrying 52 passengers and six crew on a flight from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport; it took off at 19:51 EDT and landed in Chicago at 20:33 CDT, and the airline said the aircraft was inspected after landing with no damage found.
"We just had a firework hit our plane," a pilot told air traffic control, a recording of the incident shows. "We're just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang."
Before the incident, controllers warned of fireworks. "Delta 1076... use caution, there are multiple homes near the approach end shooting off fireworks," an air traffic control officer said. "There have been multiple reports as you can imagine. The city is aware. They said they would notify the Chicago police, but you know, I don't know what they will do."
The Chicago Police Department said the aircraft "was struck by an unknown object" and that it caused "minor paint damage." The Federal Aviation Administration said the incident happened around 20:30 CDT.
The strike occurred as millions across the United States celebrated the nation's 250th anniversary with fireworks, and large displays are often organized by state and local governments while private fireworks are commonplace; in Washington DC the milestone was marked by a 40-minute fireworks display by the National Park Service at the Washington National Mall, and flights were suspended at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from noon to make way for military flyovers and the pyrotechnic show that began at midnight local time.
The incident was reported to aviation authorities.