OAN Staff Lillian Mann
11:07 AM – Monday, July 6, 2026
A Delta Airlines plane preparing to land at a Chicago airport was reportedly hit by fireworks, with pilots saying they “definitely felt a big bang.”
On Saturday evening, the aircraft, which was carrying 52 passengers and six crew members, was reportedly descending into Chicago Midway International Airport when the plane “reportedly made contact with a firework while on descent,” a Delta spokesperson told BBC.
“The flight safely landed and taxied to the gate,” they added. No injuries were reported, according to the airline.
The pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, “we just had a firework hit our plane,” the audio says. “We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath, but definitely felt a big bang.”
The controller then responded that there had been “multiple reports” of similar incidents at the runway. Before allegedly hitting the firework, controllers had even warned the approaching planes.
“Delta 1076… use caution, there are multiple homes near the approach end shooting off fireworks,” an air traffic control officer said over the radio.
“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 controller added.
After landing, the Airbus A319 was inspected but no damage was found, the airline noted.
The Delta pilot reported that the plane had been descending at 200 feet — the same peak altitude reached by many consumer fireworks. In comparison, professional firework displays can explode as high as 1,200 feet.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident.
Washington, D.C., celebrated the milestone 250th anniversary of the United States with a spectacular 40-minute fireworks show, launched by the National Park Service over the National Mall.
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