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.

Image via Shutterstock If you thought that story about a wild coyote in an Aldi was going to be the craziest coyote-themed story this week, then oh boy, do I have a tale for you? United Airlines passengers were terrified after their flight ended up striking a wild coyote while trying to take off.

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 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,

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.

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.

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.