A United Airlines flight bound for Phoenix was forced to return to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after striking a coyote during takeoff on Sunday (January 12). The Boeing 737 MAX 9, carrying 167 passengers and six crew members, encountered the coyote on the runway, prompting the pilots to return for a precautionary inspection of the landing gear. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers were later accommodated on another flight to their destination.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, initially reported as a bird strike by the crew. Wildlife strikes are a growing concern for aviation safety, with the FAA noting that from 1988 to 2023, such incidents have killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft in the United States alone. While most collisions involve birds, terrestrial animals like coyotes also pose risks. Between 1990 and 2023, there were 882 reported coyote strikes with civilian aircraft in the U.S.
Coyotes have increasingly adapted to urban environments, including areas near airports, which raises the likelihood of such encounters. Despite airports implementing various wildlife management strategies, incidents like the one involving United Flight 1727 highlight the unpredictability of wildlife behavior and the need for ongoing vigilance and innovation in mitigation efforts.
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