Firework strikes Delta jet on July 4 landing at Chicago Midway; no damage found

Delta Flight 1076, arriving at Chicago’s Midway International Airport from Atlanta on the evening of July 4, made contact with a firework as it came in to land. Cockpit-to-tower audio captured the crew reporting a loud bang and telling controllers they suspected a mortar had gone off beneath the aircraft; they opted to continue to the gate rather than declare an emergency. The plane landed safely with no injuries reported.