The crew of Delta Flight 1076 informed the air traffic control of what they described as a “loud bang” as the aircraft approached the runway for landing. (Representative Image)A Delta Air Lines flight travelling from Atlanta “made contact with a firework” while landing at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on the Fourth of July, according to the airline’s statement and air traffic control audio.Flight timeline and arrival at Midway AirportAccording to flight-tracking website FlightAware, Delta Air Lines flight 1076 departed Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport around 7:36 pm (local time) and landed at Chicago’s Midway Airport around 8:38 pm (local time).Flight crew reports loud blast upon descentThe crew of Delta Flight 1076 informed the air traffic control of what they described as a “loud bang” as the aircraft approached the runway for landing, around 250 feet above the ground.Radio transmissions detail the pilot’s assessmentAs per the audio from ATC.com, the pilot is heard informing an air traffic controller, “Tower, we just had a firework hit our plane, Delta 1076, we’re continuing.”“We just heard a bang on the plane, so we’ll have to look at it when we get to the gate. We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath, but definitely felt a big bang,” the audio revealed, NBC News reported.Post-landing inspection and aircraft evaluationAirline officials later stated the plane landed safely at Chicago’s Midway Airport, and the situation didn’t result in an emergency landing. The plane was undergoing an evaluation by authorities, reports added.Air Traffic control issues warnings for nearby neighborhoodsThe air traffic controller said there had been “multiple” similar reports, and officials in the city have been informed of it. However, the controller had advised the plane’s crew to be cautious as there were “multiple homes near the approach shooting off fireworks,” ABC News reported.Story continues below this adDelta Air Lines, in a statement, said “Delta flight 1076 from Atlanta (ATL) to Chicago (MDW) reportedly made contact with a firework while on descent. The flight safely landed and taxied to the gate.”The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Delta airlinesUS 250th Anniversary