A United Airlines 737 Max took a 40-minute flight to nowhere after hitting a coyote on the runway
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
- A United Airlines plane hit a coyote during departure, the FAA and the airline confirmed.
- The Boeing 737 Max turned back to Chicago and landed 40 minutes after departing.
- The probability of wildlife strikes has risen "dramatically" in recent years due to quieter planes.
A United Airlines plane embarked on a 40-minute flight to nowhere after hitting a coyote on the runway.
On Monday, the Boeing 737 Max was taking off from Chicago O'Hare Airport, bound for Phoenix, when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the aircraft "struck a coyote on departure." It added that the plane's right nose gear was damaged.
It was classified as minor damage, per the FAA's notice.
United confirmed the incident to Business Insider, saying the plane, operating as Flight 1727, "safely returned to Chicago O'Hare International Airport to examine the aircraft after its landing gear struck a coyote during takeoff."
The plane had 167 passengers and six crew on board, United said. There were no injuries reported.
Data from Flightradar24 shows that the plane took off normally, climbing to around 6,000 feet before U-turning.
It looped around twice before landing back in Chicago about 40 minutes after taking off.
Audio recordings archived by LiveATC.net show air traffic control confirming to the pilots that equipment was standing by to inspect the aircraft upon landing.
The incident wasn't too disruptive for the airline as the same 737 Max took off again four hours later, per Flightradar24.
The Chicago Department of Aviation did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Airports have wildlife management plans because animals can pose risks to aircraft — although birds are usually the main concern.
The FAA says the probability of wildlife strikes has "increased dramatically" in recent years, not only due to increased animal populations but also because newer planes have much quieter engines.