A Delta Air Lines passenger jet was struck by a firework on its final approach to Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Saturday evening, during widespread Fourth of July celebrations across the United States. Flight 1076, arriving from Atlanta, landed without further incident and none of the 52 passengers or six crew members aboard were hurt, according to statements from the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Air traffic control recordings captured the moment the crew reported “a big bang” and told controllers a mortar had hit the aircraft while it was descending through approximately 200 feet. The tower responded that it had received multiple similar reports and had alerted city authorities. Chicago police initially noted minor paint damage to the Airbus A319, but the airline later said that a post-flight inspection by mechanics found no damage. The aircraft was taken out of service for evaluation.

The sequence unfolded around 8:30 p.m. local time as pyrotechnic displays marked the anniversary of American independence – this year, the 250th according to Italian media accounts – with large-scale celebrations across metropolitan areas. Officials in Chicago referred further questions to the FBI, while the FAA said it would investigate the circumstances. Regional news reports stressed that the flight did not require an emergency landing and taxied normally to the gate.

No definitive explanation has been offered for how a ground-launched firework could reach an aircraft on descent, but aviation authorities in the United States routinely caution against operating unmanned devices near flight paths. The inquiry is ongoing.