Watch a Jet Taking Off from Chicago Fly Through Big Fireworks
A few years ago I had to catch a flight out of Chicago in the middle of a raging snowstorm. That was nothing apparently compared to what just happened a few days ago when a jet taking off from the Windy City flew right through a big fireworks display.
This video was just shared today with the following brief backstory by a person who doesn't seem alarmed at all that they just flew through fire more or less:
Captured shortly after take-off on July 4th, 2023, at 10:35 pm on Southwest Flight 2235 flying from Chicago (Midway) to Grand Rapids. Was excited to capture 4th of July fireworks in the distance and experienced the surprise of a lifetime, flying right through a firework.
The fun doesn't really begin until just over a minute in when you can see the plane has now left the ground and has begun its ascent. You can see a small firework explode below which is followed by a much larger one that obviously made some contact with the jet.
I have to wonder exactly what the FAA regulations must be about shooting off fireworks that close to an airport and/or routes that planes take. Not trying to be a fuddy duddy as I'm a big fan of fun life experiences like flying through fireworks, but I do prefer my planes without fire nearby. That's just my personal preference.
Congrats to the passenger who got a fireworks thrill though. That will be one 4th of July that won't soon be forgotten.