A holiday flight was seconds from landing. Then a firework slammed into the plane.
Delta Flight 1076 was 200 feet above Chicago with 58 people on board when a firework hit the plane.
When you fly, you trust that the sky is safe. But a holiday custom just put dozens of lives in danger.
What Happened
On Saturday night, a plane was coming to Chicago from Atlanta. It was around 8:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The sky was full of fireworks.
As the plane got close to Midway Airport, the crew felt a sudden, loud bang. They were only 200 to 250 feet off the ground.
The plane landed safely with all 52 passengers and six crew members. Police later found the plane had small paint damage from a firework.
Fact Box
- 52 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
- 200 to 250 feet high when hit.
- 8:30 p.m. on July 4th near Midway Airport.
- 1 loud bang felt by the pilot.
- 0 injuries.
Why It Matters
This is not just a close call. It shows how dangerous home fireworks can be when they get near flight paths.
If a firework hits an engine or breaks glass, people could die. Pilots need clear skies to land.
What Happens Next
The FAA is now looking into the strike. They want to find out who shot the firework.
City leaders and police are also checking on reports of other close calls that night.
What We Still Don't Know
- Who shot the firework that hit the plane?
- How many other flights were hit that night?
- What will the city do to protect flights next year?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 6, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
Spot an error or missing context? Email hi@kindjoe.com and we will review and correct if needed.
Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.
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