Plane hit by firework while landing in Chicago

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: 'Definitely felt a big bang': Delta plane hit by firework while landing in ChicagoImage source, NurPhoto via Getty ImagesImage caption, The incident happened while the plane was preparing to land in Chicago (file image)ByKwasi Gyamfi AsieduPublished5 July 2026, 18:10 BSTUpdated 31 minutes agoA Delta Air Lines plane carrying 52 passengers and six crew members was hit by fireworks as it prepared to land at a Chicago airport on Saturday night. The flight from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to Midway International Airport "reportedly made contact with a firework while on descent," a spokesperson for the airline told the . "The flight safely landed and taxied to the gate," they added.

There were no injuries and the incident was reported to aviation authorities. The aircraft was struck as millions across the United States celebrated the nation's 250th anniversary with fireworks - part of the annual tradition to commemorate independence. Delta flight 1076 took off from Atlanta at 19:51 EDT (00:51 BST) and landed in Chicago at 20:33 CDT (02:33 BST).

The Details

"We just had a firework hit our plane," a pilot told air traffic control, a recording of the incident shows. The pilot said it had occurred at about 200ft (61m). "We're just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang.

"Before the incident, controllers can be heard warning of the presence of fireworks. 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 controller adds on the radio.

They said they would notify the Chicago police, but you know, I don't know what they will do. "The Federal Aviation Administration said the incident happened around 20:30 CDT, according to CBS News, the 's US partner. The Airbus A319 was inspected after landing with no damage found, according to the airline.

The largest displays of fireworks are often organised by state and local governments, but private and often unsupervised fireworks also are commonplace. In Washington DC, the milestone anniversary was marked by a mammoth 40-minute fireworks display by the National Park Service at the Washington National Mall. Flights were suspended at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from noon on Saturday to make way for military flyovers and the pyrotechnic show which began at midnight local time.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.