Delta Flight 1076, carrying 52 passengers and six crew, was hit by fireworks while preparing to land at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Saturday night.
The inbound Airbus A319 from Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport made contact with an unidentified projectile at approximately 200 ft (61 m) during its final approach, according to a Delta spokesperson. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft landed safely and taxi'd to the gate.
The incident took place as millions across the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary with fireworks. Controllers warned the flight of “multiple homes near the approach end shooting off fireworks,” and a pilot recorded on ATC radio saying he “just had a firework hit our plane … certainly felt a big bang.”
Chicago Police confirmed the object caused only minor paint damage, and the FAA noted the event occurred around 20:30 CDT. A post‑landing inspection found no damage.
This episode highlights the perils of unregulated fireworks during large public celebrations, especially near busy air‑traffic corridors, and underscores the need for stronger coordination between airport authorities, the FAA, and local law enforcement.
For immersive coverage, explore our virtual newsroom to watch a first‑hand replay of the flight’s last minutes.
