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

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.

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 flight bound for Phoenix was forced to return to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after striking a coyote during takeoff on Sunday (January 12). The Boeing 737 MAX 9, carrying 167 passengers and six crew members,

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

A United Airlines jet was clipped by another jet while they were taxiing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Wednesday. According to an emailed

A United Airlines flight was forced to turn back around after hitting a coyote during takeoff. None of the 167 passengers or six crew members were injured, but the Boeing plane had to quickly turn back around to Chicago O’Hare Airport to check the landing gear.