Safe landing, no injuries after firework hits Delta flight near Midway

As thousands of Chicagoans celebrated Independence Day with backyard fireworks displays, one stray mortar shell apparently reached an altitude few expected.

A Delta Air Lines flight arriving at Chicago Midway International Airport was struck by a firework while descending for landing Saturday night, prompting a federal investigation into the unusual incident.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Flight 1076 from Atlanta reported that a fireworks mortar hit the aircraft shortly before it landed around 8:30 p.m. on July 4. Air traffic control recordings captured the flight crew telling controllers they heard a loud bang and believed a firework had exploded beneath the aircraft.  

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Despite the impact, the Airbus A319 landed safely, taxied to its gate under its own power, and none of the passengers or crew members were injured. Delta later confirmed the aircraft was removed from service for inspection by maintenance crews. Initial examinations reportedly found minor damage to the plane's exterior paint, though technicians are conducting a full inspection to ensure there was no structural damage. 

The FAA has launched an investigation into how the firework reached the aircraft's flight path. Authorities have not said where the firework originated, though Midway Airport is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods where illegal consumer fireworks are commonly used during Fourth of July celebrations. 

While aircraft occasionally encounter lasers, drones or birds near airports, experts say a commercial airliner being struck by a firework during its final approach is extraordinarily rare.

The incident occurred during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, as millions of Americans took to the skies for the Fourth of July holiday. Flight operations at Midway were not disrupted, and Delta said the safety of its customers and crew remains its top priority. 

The FAA's investigation is expected to determine whether the firework violated federal regulations and whether additional enforcement or safety measures may be warranted around airport approach paths during future holiday celebrations.