Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about a Delta Air Lines flight that was apparently struck by fireworks as it descended into Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday evening, according to air traffic control audio and the airline. I mean, who needs a morning wake-up call when you’ve got fireworks hitting your plane, right? The pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, “We just had a firework hit our plane,” and I’m just over here thinking, “Well, that’s a new one.”
The pilot added that they were hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath, but definitely felt a big bang. I can imagine, it’s not every day you get to experience a fireworks display up close and personal while flying a plane. The controller replied that there had been “multiple reports” of similar incidents, which is just great, because what every pilot wants to hear is that they’re not the only ones having a crazy day.
As a subsequent Southwest Airlines flight descended into Midway, a controller warned: “Welcome to the war zone.” I’m sure that’s exactly what the passengers wanted to hear, a friendly welcome to the war zone. The Southwest flight responded with a sarcastic “That’s reassuring,” and I’m right there with them, folks. I mean, who needs reassurance when you’re flying into a war zone?
The Delta pilot reported that the plane was flying at 200 feet in its descent, which is roughly the same altitude as some consumer fireworks. So, it’s possible that someone on the ground was just trying to get a little too creative with their fireworks display. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident, because of course they are, it’s not like they have anything better to do.
The FAA said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 4, and no injuries were reported. Well, that’s a relief, folks, because the last thing we need is a bunch of injured passengers on a plane that was hit by fireworks.
City officials were made aware of the potential dangers the fireworks were posing for the departing and arriving flights, and they were all like, “Yeah, we’ll notify the Chicago police, maybe.” I’m sure the Chicago police were just sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for someone to tell them about the fireworks. CNN has reached out to Chicago police for details, because of course they have, it’s not like they have anything better to do either.
In the end, it’s just another day in the life of air travel, folks, where the only thing more unpredictable than the weather is the possibility of getting hit by fireworks. And on that note, I’ll just say that if you’re planning on flying into Chicago Midway International Airport anytime soon, you might want to pack a helmet.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
