In brief
Delta flight 1076, an Airbus A319 en route from Atlanta to Chicago, was struck by a firework during its descent at Midway Airport on July 5 2026. The pilot felt a hard bang, but the plane landed safely and the crew reported no casualties. The incident was part of the nationwide 250th anniversary fireworks displays, though private fireworks near the airport were also blamed. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the strike at around 8:30 p.m. CDT. Arizona aviation authorities inspected the aircraft post‑landing and found only minor paint damage.
A Delta Airbus A319 flying from Atlanta to Chicago was hit by a firework during touchdown preparations at Midway International Airport this Saturday night.
The incident occurred as the aircraft descended at roughly 200 feet, with the pilot reporting a “big bang” and the plane continuing to land safely. No passengers or crew were injured and the aircraft suffered only minor paint damage.
The flight, Delta flight 1076, departed Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport at 7:51 p.m. EDT (12:51 a.m. BST) and touched down at 8:33 p.m. CDT (2:33 a.m. BST). Air traffic controllers had warned of fireworks in the vicinity weeks before the event.
The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution was marked nationwide with large pyrotechnic displays; however, private fireworks were also being set off from homes near the airport, according to Chicago police.
The FAA recorded the strike around 8:30 p.m. CDT. After landing, the Delta A319 was inspected and cleared for continued operations with no lingering damage.
Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were suspended during the DC fireworks display, illustrating how large‑scale celebrations can ripple into air‑traffic operations worldwide.
