A United Airlines flight bound for Phoenix on January 12 was diverted after the plane struck a coyote.
“On Sunday morning, United Flight 1727 returned safely to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to investigate the aircraft after the landing gear struck a coyote during takeoff,” a United spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“We arranged another plane later that afternoon to take our customers to their destinations.”
Six crew members and 167 passengers were on board the Boeing 737 MAX 9 when the incident occurred.
A plane was diverted to Chicago, Illinois, after the plane’s landing gear struck a coyote (not shown) during takeoff. (iStock)
Fox News Digital contacted O’Hare International airport for comment.
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In November a US airlines flight was diverted to O’Hare after hitting a bird, Fox News Digital reported.
The pilots were able to land the plane safely and return to the gate without incident, an airline spokesman said at the time.
There were no reports of injuries to passengers or crew.
A United spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the plane returned “safely” to O’Hare International Airport after the coyote incident. (United Airlines)
There were more than 17,200 strikes in the wild at U.S. airports by 2023, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Between 1990 and 2023, the FAA was responsible for approximately 310,000 aircraft-animal collisions, most of which often birds.
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In 2023, there were more than 17,200 wildlife attacks at U.S. airports. (iStock)
Chicago has seen an increase in coyote sightings this winter VOS 32.
On Monday, animal control officers were called to remove a coyote that entered an Aldi supermarket, the outlet reported.
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A spokesperson for Chicago Animal Care and Control told FOX 32 that “January through March is mating season for coyotes, leading to increased visibility as the animals roam during the day to establish territories and find mates.”
Deputy Chief Greg Czernecki of the Arlington Heights Police Department said, “Keep your animals on a leash and ensure fenced yards are secure.”
