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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.