Plane hit by firework while landing at Chicago airport on Fourth of July

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Delta aircraft was struck by a firework near Chicago Midway Airport on Fourth of July. The FAA said the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 reported that a fireworks mortar hit the plane just before landing at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. According to an audio recording published by LiveATC.net, the pilot described hearing a “big bang” while the aircraft was at an altitude of 200 to 250 feet, and the crew hoped it was “just a mortar that went off,” referring to the tube used to launch aerial fireworks. Delta confirmed the aircraft was coming in from Atlanta with 52 passengers and six crew members and that it made contact with the firework, while the aircraft landed safely. Chicago police said the plane sustained “minor paint damage” and there were no reported injuries. It was unclear whether other aircraft were affected, and the FAA had not immediately responded to questions about additional incidents.