A Delta Air Lines flight was apparently hit by fireworks while landing at 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 that the plane experienced a strong jolt while flying at low altitude.
Pilot reports ‘big bang’ during landing
“We just had fireworks over our plane,” the pilot told controllers, according to air traffic control audio.“We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went down, but it definitely felt like a big bang,” the pilot said.At the time of the incident the plane was descending from a height of about 200 to 250 feet.The pilot said the crew expected the sound “just came from a mortar that had exploded”, referring to the launch tubes used for aerial fireworks.Air traffic controllers responded by saying there were “numerous reports” of similar incidents and directed the crew to the gate for inspection.This incident also resulted in a collision with another incoming aircraft.According to CNN, as the 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 that city officials were informed about the potential hazards posed by fireworks near arriving and departing aircraft.
The plane landed safely, no damage
Delta Flight 1076, an Airbus A319 traveling from Atlanta with 52 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Chicago Midway shortly after 8:30 p.m. local time.Delta said there were no reports of injuries.After landing, airline mechanics inspected the plane and found no damage, the AP reports.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the alleged fireworks strike.In a statement, the FAA said, “Delta Airlines Flight 1076 landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday, July 4, at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time.”The agency asked that further questions be asked of local authorities and the airline.It is unclear whether other aircraft were affected by the fireworks during the celebration.However, air traffic controllers noted “numerous reports” of similar encounters and indicated that Chicago city officials had been informed of the potential threat.