A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Phoenix had to return to O'Hare International Airport on Sunday morning after its landing gear struck a coyote during takeoff.

A United Airlines passenger jet struck a coyote on the runway during takeoff in Chicago, forcing the flight to return to O’Hare International Airport to have the landing gear examined.

United Airlines told CBS News Chicago Tuesday that on Sunday morning, flight 1727 was about to take off when its landing gear struck a coyote.

Boeing’s last 737 MAX 9 delivery to United Airlines was on December 13, 2024, when the airline welcomed N77585 to its fleet. The airframe operated its first flight on September 11, 2024, just two days before the strike by Boeing’s machinists began on September 13, 2024, ending on November 4, 2024.

A United Airlines flight struck a coyote on the runway during takeoff from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, forcing the jet to return to the airport.

The plane left the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, around 5:24 a.m. and was expected to arrive at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 8:44 a.m.

A United Airlines flight struck a coyote while attempting to take off from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport over the weekend, the airline confirmed Tuesday.

Recently, an American Airlines plane and a United Airlines aircraft collided at the Chicago airport, which has stirred discussions on social media. Following the incident, both the airlines and official authorities released multiple statements explaining the details.