United Plane Collides with Coyote on Runway During Takeoff at Chicago O’Hare Airport

A United Airlines plane struck a coyote during takeoff at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. 

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 was carrying 167 passengers and six crew members when its landing gear struck the wild animal, which was on the runway, on Sunday, Jan. 12, the airline confirmed to PEOPLE. 

The plane “safely returned to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to examine the aircraft,” United said in a statement. 

The plane was headed for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona and took off at around 10:45 a.m. local time when the incident occurred.

According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, crew members initially “reported a bird strike on departure.” The FAA confirmed to PEOPLE that they are investigating the incident.  

This is not the first coyote-related incident the city has seen this week. 

Video footage taken at an Aldi supermarket in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 13 revealed a coyote hiding behind a shelf of prepared meals in the refrigerator section of the store. Two Chicago Animal Care and Control officials were able to use a tool to retrieve the animal, and later pulled it by its tail to get it completely out.

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Following the incident, the Chicago Animal Care and Control shared a post on Facebook regarding information about the species and its increased activity in urban areas from January through March.

“During this time, coyotes are more active and may be seen more frequently, even during daylight hours. Coyotes are typically shy and avoid humans, but it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets and community safe,” read the post.

The department also advised, “If you see a coyote, make yourself big, loud, and back away slowly—never run.”