During the NFL clash between the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears, a mistimed fireworks display nearly struck a US Army Black Hawk helicopter during the pregame flyover. The pilot escaped unharmed, but the close call sparked a social media debate over stadium safety.
Ahead of the National Football League (NFL) match between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears, fans and spectators witnessed a tense, high-stakes moment when a pre-game pyrotechnic display nearly collided with a military flyover above Lumen Field on Monday, November 2.
Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 in a dominant performance powered by D'Andre Swift's three rushing touchdowns and Caleb Williams' 247 passing yards. The Lumen Field, the home venue for the West Side, was thronged by 70,000 fans as four US Army black hawk helicopters performed a traditional pregame flyover.
As the American national anthem was sung across the venue, the formation of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters approached the open-air stadium, perfectly timed with the final notes of the performance.
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Black Hawk Helicopter Escapes Unharmed
As the US Army Black Hawk helicopters flew over the stadium in sync, an apparent timing error caused the venue’s pyrotechnics o go off while the final aircraft was still clearing the open roof.
In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), the last US Army Black Hawk was seen exiting the stadium space just as pyrotechnics shot up into the sky. Sparks and smoke burst within a few feet of the helicopter’s undercarriage and tail rotor, forcing the pilot to maintain altitude and quickly push past the hazard zone.
Because the US Army pilot was well trained and skilled, the aircraft sustained no damage, and all four Black Hawks landed safely with no reported injuries. The distance between the stadium’s open roof and the flight path maintained by the flyover formation kept the aircraft just far enough above the launching pyrotechnics to prevent direct impact.
However, the mistimed pyrotechnic display went off while the final helicopter was still exiting the stadium, bringing it dangerously close to the fireworks and sparks. Since the Army pilot maintained stability and steered the helicopter out of the hazard zone, the aircraft escaped without damage, and no injuries were reported.
Moreover, all four US Army helicopters were black, making them clearly visible against the night sky as they completed the pregame flyover.
Social Media Reacts After Fireworks Nearly Cross Black Hawk's Path
The viral video of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter narrowly dodging the fireworks at Lumen Field has sparked debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with netizens questioning the timing of the pyrotechnic display and the safety arrangements during the pregame flyover.
Taking to their X handles, many reacted with a mix of concern, disbelief and humour, with some questioning the timing of fireworks and coordination between the organisers and the military. Others pointed out that the Black Hawk was already moving past the pyrotechnics when they were launched.
Another section of users highlighted the potential danger of the incident, warning that the situation could have turned into a major tragedy had the fireworks struck the helicopter, while a few questioned the need for such displays during sporting events. However, some users pointed out that helicopters have survived powerful attacks and the fireworks would not cause any harm to them.
Meanwhile, there has been no official statement from the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL, or the U.S. military regarding the incident. However, the fans and safety experts continue to demand a review of protocol to prevent similar near-misses during future pregame stadium ceremonies.
