Pilot reports that plane was hit by fireworks while landing in the USA

A Delta Air Lines pilot reported his plane was hit by fireworks while descending into Chicago Midway International Airport, according to air traffic control and airline audio.

"A firework hit our aircraft," the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, according to audio from Saturday (4).

"We're just hoping it was just a mortar shell exploding from below, but we definitely felt a big bang," he added.

The controller responded that there had been "multiple reports" of similar incidents and instructed the crew to go to the gate and check the aircraft for damage.

As a Southwest Airlines flight descended toward Midway later, a controller stated, "Welcome to the war zone."

"That's reassuring," Southwest Flight 223 responded.

In the initial report, the Delta pilot added that the plane was flying at 200 feet during the descent.

Smaller household fireworks can reach heights of 15 to 61 meters, and some professional displays have explosion altitudes of up to 365 meters.

The FAA (United States Federal Aviation Administration) is investigating the incident.

"Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 4," the FAA said in a statement.

There were no injuries in the incident, Delta Air Lines said in a statement.

Municipal authorities were informed about the risks that fireworks posed to takeoff and landing flights.

"They said they would notify the Chicago Police Department, but, you know, I don't know what they're going to do, right?", the controllers said in the audio.

CNN has reached out to the Chicago Police Department and is awaiting feedback.

Source: CNN