A United Airlines plane headed to Phoenix on January 12 was diverted after colliding with a coyote.
“On Sunday morning, United Flight 1727's landing gear struck a coyote during takeoff, but the aircraft returned safely to Chicago O'Hare International Airport for inspection,” a United spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“We have arranged another flight to take you to your destination later that afternoon.''
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There were six crew members and 167 passengers on board the Boeing 737 MAX 9 at the time of the incident.
The plane was diverted to Chicago, Illinois after its landing gear struck a coyote (not pictured) during takeoff. (St. Petersburg)
Fox News Digital has reached out to O'Hare International Airport for comment.
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In November, an American Airlines jet was diverted to O'Hare after colliding with a bird, Fox News Digital reported.
An airline spokesperson said at the time that the pilots were able to land the plane safely and return to the gate without incident.
There were no reports of injuries to passengers or crew.
A United spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the plane returned to O'Hare International Airport “safely” after the coyote incident. (United Airlines)
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were more than 17,200 wildlife strikes at U.S. airports in 2023.
Between 1990 and 2023, the FAA reported approximately 310,000 collisions between aircraft and animals, most commonly birds.
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In 2023, there were more than 17,200 wildlife strikes at U.S. airports. (St. Petersburg)
The number of coyote sightings has increased in Chicago this winter. Fox 32.
The newspaper said animal control officers were called to remove a coyote that had entered an Aldi grocery store on Monday.
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A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Animal Care and Control told FOX 32, “January to March is coyote breeding season, when animals roam during the day to establish territory and find mates, so visibility is low. will increase,” he said.
“Please keep animals on leashes and secure in fenced yards,” Arlington Heights Police Deputy Chief Greg Czernecki said.
