Fireworks light up the sky above a C-130H aircraft to conclude the sixth annual Liberty Fest at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 2, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo)

“Big bang” is not just a theory. It’s a reality for a commercial airplane struck by a firework as it was landing on the Fourth of July at Chicago’s Midway Airport.

“We just had a firework hit our plane,” the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told air-traffic controllers on final approach.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 arriving from Atlanta to Chicago Midway reported being struck by a firework during its approach on July 4. In ATC audio, the crew tell the tower, “We just had a firework hit our plane,” before later adding they heard a bang on the aircraft and would… pic.twitter.com/UvKw4yi46Y

— Flightdrama (@flightdrama) July 5, 2026

The immediate response from the tower was: “I’m not sure if you’ll be able to assess if there’s any damage at this time, but can you tell me if you had to … I guess any further information about the firework?”

The pilot replied: “Uh, no, negative. But yes, it’s about 200 feet AGL (above ground level), 200-250 AGL, but we just heard the bang on the plane. So we’ll have to look at it once we get to the gate.”

The aircraft, an Airbus A319 carrying 52 passengers and six crew, was flying to the Windy City from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and was struck during descent about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, which was America’s 250th birthday.

No one was hurt in the incident and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

A Delta Air Lines plane was reportedly hit by a firework while landing at Chicago Midway International Airport on the Fourth of July, according to air traffic control audio and a statement from the airline. pic.twitter.com/VKJ2fVaTy5

— ABC News (@ABC) July 5, 2026

DePaul University aviation and transportation expert Joe Schwieterman told CBS News it’s something he’s never heard of happening.

“I’ve been watching aviation my whole life and have seen about everything from different kinds of birds to projectiles, but never a firework. So, this really is an indication that these risks pop out of nowhere,” he said.

Schwieterman explained the final approach to Midway is already difficult, as it features short runways, dense traffic, and tightly configured neighborhoods around it.

Regarding what might have been damaged, he said: “Perhaps a firecracker goes off right at the intake of the jet engine. That could cause something and combine that with another factor like a wind shear or an unexpected weather pattern.”

Local resident Christina Bernabe told CBS that fireworks were exploding nonstop on Independence Day at the approximate rate of 20 per minute.

“God forbid a plane, something happens, and lands on a house or on the block,” Bernabe said. “Was really shocked. Glad everyone is OK. Definitely a bit frightening.”

Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews