Chicago, USA: Delta Air Lines pilot says plane hit by firework on July 4
A pilot of a Delta Air Lines plane described feeling ‘a big bang’ after the flight was suspected of having hit a firework over Chicago.
A Delta Air Lines flight and a high-flying firework reportedly came into contact in the sky above Chicago as the city celebrated the US Fourth of July holiday.
The pilot of Delta flight 1076 notified air traffic controllers just before landing at Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday night that a firework hit the commercial airliner during its descent.
In an audio recording published online by LiveATC.net, the pilot described feeling “a big bang” on the plane.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.According to the recording, the incident occurred when the plane was flying at an altitude of 60-75 metres.
The pilot said the crew hoped the bang “was just a mortar that went off,” referencing the tube that helps launch aerial fireworks.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and Delta said the plane, which had taken off from Atlanta carrying 52 passengers and six crew members, landed safely just after 8.30pm.
The incident did not result in any onboard injuries and Atlanta-based Delta said on Sunday that mechanics who inspected the Airbus A319 did not find any damage.
The FAA said it would investigate the incident.
It’s unclear if fireworks struck other airplanes on Saturday.
In the LiveATC.net audio, an air traffic controller was heard saying there had been “multiple reports” of such encounters and that Chicago city officials were aware.
