Delta flight is hit by a firework while landing at Chicago airport as pilot hears 'loud bang' while approaching runway on July 4

Published: 15:40, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 15:43, 5 July 2026 A Delta Air Lines plane was struck by a firework during Fourth of July celebrations just moments before touching down in Chicago. The startling incident unfolded shortly before 8.40pm Friday, as Delta Flight 1076 from Atlanta approached descent to Chicago Midway International Airport amid a barrage of fireworks hurtling across nearby neighborhoods. The crew aboard the aircraft radioed the control tower after hearing what they described as a 'loud bang' when they were approaching the runway. At the time of the strike the Airbus was in one of the most critical stages of flight as pilots prepared to land, and was reportedly flying at an altitude of just 200 to 250 feet above the ground. However, according to Air traffic control communications, the crew had already been warned to exercise caution because fireworks were being launched dangerously close to the airport's flight path. Seconds later, the pilots reported the feeling of what appeared to be an impact, saying 'we've just had a firework hit our plane'. 'We're just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang,' one member of the flight crew added over the radio. The startling incident unfolded shortly before 8.40pm Friday, as Delta Flight 1076 from Atlanta approached descent to Chicago Midway International Airport amid a barrage of fireworks hurtling across nearby neighborhoods (stock image) Fireworks explode over the National Mall during the 'Freedom 250: Salute to America' Independence Day celebration in Washington DC Stating cause for concern, the crew member told controllers 'we just heard the bang on the plane so we will have to take a look at it once we get to the gate.' The startling exchange, captured on air traffic control audio, revealed the tense moments as the crew tried to determine exactly what had happened during one of the most critical phases of flight. Yet, despite the apparent strike, the pilots kept their composure and continued the landing as planned. The aircraft touched down safely at Midway without declaring an emergency before taxiing normally to the gate. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. Delta later confirmed that the aircraft had ‘reportedly made contact with a firework while on descent’ but landed safely. The airline immediately removed the plane from service so maintenance crews could carry out a thorough inspection before it returns to the skies. Controllers had moments earlier warned Flight 1076 that numerous fireworks had been spotted near the airport’s arrival corridor, with authorities already alerted to the dangerous displays. Chicago Midway is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods, meaning arriving aircraft routinely pass low over residential streets during the final minutes of their approach. On Independence Day, those same neighborhoods become a sea of backyard fireworks, Roman candles and aerial mortars that light up the sky long after sunset. Pictured: Air traffic control tower at Chicago Midway International Airport While most celebrations pass without incident, the sheer volume of fireworks launched across the city can create unexpected hazards for aircraft flying overhead. According to reports, the most extravagant fireworks can reach heights of 1,300ft above the ground, and therefore pose the most significant risk to aircraft taking off and coming in to land. Commercial airliners are built to withstand bird strikes, hailstorms and severe weather, but encounters with fireworks remain exceptionally rare. Exactly where the firework came from remains unclear. Officials have not specified whether it exploded beneath the aircraft or physically struck the jet during its final descent. The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet announced whether it will open a formal investigation into the incident. The Daily Mail has reached out to Delta and the FAA for comment.  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.