Illinois: A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 bound for Phoenix had to return to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on January 12th, after its landing gear struck a coyote during takeoff.
The aircraft, carrying 167 passengers and six crew members, climbed to 6,000 feet before the pilot declared an emergency and circled back. It landed safely about 40 minutes after takeoff, with no injuries reported. The collision caused minor damage to the nose gear, which was repaired, allowing the same plane to resume operations four hours later.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident to review existing wildlife management protocols. Such strikes have become more frequent in recent years, prompting increased efforts at airports to mitigate these hazards.
Increased coyote activity in the Chicago area is common during their mating season, which may have contributed to the incident. Wildlife experts note that urban airports like O’Hare often face challenges in balancing airport operations with surrounding wildlife presence.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today to keep up with the latest in the aviation industry!
