How 'Chicago Fire' Boeing 737 was nearly frozen out of 'One Chicago'

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"One Chicago" creators finally got their long-held dream to feature a passenger plane in the TV action franchise — but a polar vortex nearly froze the plan.

The Boeing 737-800 flies into the three-part crossover episode between "Chicago Fire," "Chicago Med," and "Chicago P.D." (8 ET/PT). But it was a bumpy flight when the production was halted due to the dangerous Chicago cold, and the plane flew off.

"All of a sudden, it was like -20 degrees below windchill, and we had to stop shooting," says "Chicago Fire" executive producer Andrew Newman. "That plane had other jobs where it was warmer; it wasn't going to sit around. So we took a break, then we had to get the plane back. It was madness that it all came together."

The plane has been a dream of the "One Chicago" franchise, with Newman previously shooting down the expensive request because it was too risky for a multi-episode TV show with tight shooting windows. And unpredictable Chicago weather.

"We have been talking about a plane for three years, and I was always the one to say, 'No way!' We're not a movie,' says Newman. "It was a risky venture all around."