Coyote Strike Forces Flight Back to Chicago
A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Chicago after a coyote struck its landing gear during takeoff, underscoring the challenges of wildlife hazards in aviation.
Photo Source: Aviation A2Z
A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, operating Flight UA1727 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), had an unexpected encounter during takeoff when its landing gear struck a coyote on the runway.
The incident occurred shortly after departure, prompting the pilots to return the aircraft for a precautionary inspection. The flight, carrying 167 passengers and six crew members, landed safely back at ORD. Passengers were quickly rebooked on another aircraft to minimize travel disruptions.
This rare wildlife strike highlights the ongoing challenges posed by terrestrial animals near airports. While most wildlife strikes involve birds, data shows coyotes are a less common but notable threat, with over 824 incidents reported between 1990 and 2022.
Airports, including Chicago O’Hare, maintain robust wildlife management programs to mitigate risks. These include habitat modifications and advanced technologies for detecting animal presence. However, unpredictable encounters like this coyote strike underscore the need for continuous innovation in wildlife hazard prevention.
Incidents like these remind the aviation industry of the importance of proactive safety measures and adaptability to emerging challenges.
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