A Delta Air Lines flight was apparently struck by fireworks as it descended into Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday evening, according to air traffic control audio and the airline. “We just had a firework hit our plane,” the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 told controllers, according to the audio — “We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath, but definitely felt a big bang.”

Pilot Warns of ‘Welcome to the War Zone’

The controller replied that there had been “multiple reports” of similar incidents and instructed the crew to head to the gate and inspect the aircraft for damage. As a subsequent Southwest Airlines flight descended into Midway, a controller warned: “Welcome to the war zone.” “That’s reassuring,” Southwest 223 responded to the warning. In the initial report, the Delta pilot added that the plane was flying at 200 feet in its descent. Smaller consumer fireworks can range from 50 to 200 feet in the air, with some professional shows having explosion altitudes as high as 1,200 feet.

Airbus A319 Safely Lands with No Injuries

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident. “Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 4,” the FAA said in a statement. “Please contact local authorities and the airline for additional information.” No injuries were reported in the incident, Delta Air Lines said in a statement. City officials were made aware of the potential dangers the fireworks were posing for the departing and arriving flights.

“They said they would notify the Chicago police, but you know, I don’t know what they’ll do, right?” controllers said in the audio. CNN has reached out to Chicago police for details. An Airbus A319 was involved in the incident. The plane carried 52 passengers and six crew members. After landing, the aircraft was inspected, and no damage was found according to Delta. The incident was reported to the aviation authority.

Police Report Minor Damage

The pilot of Delta Flight 1076 was flying from Atlanta. In a recorded radio communication, the pilot informed air traffic control of the incident. “We were just hit by a fireworks shell,” he said. The impact occurred at approximately 200 feet, or about 61 meters above the ground. The pilot added: “We hope it was just a firework that went off underneath us, but we definitely felt a big bang.”

Before the incident, air traffic controllers had already warned the crew about fireworks near the landing path. “Delta 1076, be careful, multiple houses are setting off fireworks near the end of the approach route,” a controller said in the recording. There had been multiple reports, as you can imagine. City authorities were informed and said they would notify the Chicago police, the controller added. “But you know, I don’t know what they’ll do.”

The Chicago police told the BBC that the aircraft was struck by an unknown object, resulting in minor paint damage. No further details were provided at this time.