Delta flight hit by firework while landing on Fourth of July

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Kali O'Rourke, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Photo: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · view original

CHICAGO (Gray News) - A Delta flight was reportedly hit by a firework while landing in Chicago on the Fourth of July.Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed Saturday at Chicago’s Midway International Airport just before 8:40 p.m. Central, according to FlightAware.Air traffic control audio obtained by...

Why this matters in The Midland

The incident involving a Delta flight being hit by a firework while landing in Chicago on the Fourth of July raises concerns about the safety of air travel during holiday celebrations. For Midland residents who frequently travel through major airports, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with fireworks and other celebratory activities near airfields. The fact that the plane landed safely at Chicago's Midway International Airport is a relief, but the evaluation of the plane's condition is crucial in determining the extent of the damage. This incident may prompt a review of safety protocols and regulations regarding fireworks near airports, which could have implications for airports in the Permian Basin area, including those that serve Midland and Odessa. As the investigation unfolds, it will be worth watching to see if any changes are made to ensure the safety of flights during future holiday celebrations.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 5, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 1 min

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When was this published?

This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Kali O'Rourke at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Kali O'Rourke, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 5, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Delta flight hit by firework while landing on Fourth of July

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