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.

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.

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.

CHICAGO (WLS/CNN/CNN Newsource/WKRC) - A United Airlines flight returned to the airport after striking a coyote during takeoff. A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Chicago O'Hare Airport on Sunday after the aircraft struck a coyote during takeoff.

Flight 1727 en route to Phoenix, Arizona was about to take off Sunday morning when its landing gear struck a coyote, a United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent. As a result, the plane was forced to return to the gate and was taken out of service.

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.

The landing gear of a United 737 hit a coyote as the plane took off Sunday morning for Phoenix. The plane turned around and safely landed back at O’Hare. The passengers and crew switched planes and left again later in the day.

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.