safety
Delta flight ‘felt a big bang’ after apparently being hit by firework while landing in Chicago
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 5, 2026
· 2 min read
By Kara Nelson, Karina Tsui, Diego Mendoza, CNN
(CNN) — A Delta Air Lines flight 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.
“We just had a firework hit our plane,” th...
Key takeaway “We just had a firework hit our plane,” the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, according to the audio.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso residents who frequently travel, the incident involving a Delta flight being hit by a firework while landing in Chicago raises concerns about air safety during holiday celebrations. As a city that also hosts various festivals and events, including those with fireworks displays, El Paso's own airport and surrounding areas could potentially face similar risks. The fact that smaller consumer fireworks can reach altitudes of up to 200 feet, posing a threat to low-flying aircraft, is particularly noteworthy. While the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the Chicago incident, local authorities in El Paso should take note of the potential dangers and review their own protocols for ensuring safe distances between fireworks displays and air traffic corridors. This incident serves as a reminder for El Paso to be vigilant in its own safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, especially during the city's own celebrations.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Kara Nelson, Karina Tsui, Diego Mendoza, CNN
(CNN) — A Delta Air Lines flight 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.
“We just had a firework hit our plane,” th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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