A United Airlines flight encountered an unusual obstacle during takeoff when a coyote was struck on the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, forced the Boeing 737 MAX 9, flying United Flight 1727 towards Phoenix, to promptly return for a check of the landing gear. Fortunately, all 167 passengers and six crew members were unharmed in the incident, as confirmed by the airline in a statement sent via email on Thursday.
The airline took measures to ensure the passengers were not significantly delayed, arranging for another aircraft to transport them to their destination later that same day. In response to the occurrence, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation. Preliminary reports from the flight crew incorrectly identified the coyote as a bird, which highlights the urgency of addressing wildlife encounters in aviation.
Wildlife strikes have become an increasing concern for air safety, as reported by the FAA. From 1988 to 2023, these encounters have resulted in over 491 fatalities and the destruction of more than 350 aircraft globally, with the United States alone accounting for 76 deaths and 126 aircraft losses during the same period. While bird strikes are the most common, statistics reveal that from 1990 to 2023, there were 882 documented strikes involving coyotes and 1,301 with white-tailed deer in the U.S.
Coyotes have increasingly adapted to urban and suburban environments across the nation. For instance, on Monday, a coyote was discovered inside a grocery store in Chicago and was subsequently apprehended by local authorities. Furthermore, reports indicate that in 2020, two individuals, including a six-year-old boy, were attacked by coyotes in downtown Chicago. This prompted a precautionary lockdown of two schools in the Lincoln Park area due to coyote sightings.
During the mating season from January to March, coyotes tend to be more active, which may explain their increased presence in populated areas. As urban wildlife encounters become more prevalent, they prompt necessary discussions surrounding safety protocols and measures to mitigate these occurrences in aviation and everyday life.
