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.

The United Airlines aircraft was carrying 167 passengers when it struck a coyote on Sunday, Jan. 12 in Chicago, the airline confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement

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.

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.

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.

A startling event unfolded at Chicago O'Hare as a United Airlines flight encountered an unexpected runway hazard, leading to an emergency situation.

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.

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.

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.