The US Federal Aviation Administration is looking into an incident where a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 lost an external panel en route from San Francisco to Oregon, amid growing concerns over Boeing aircraft safety.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident where a Boeing 737-800 operated by United Airlines lost an external panel during its flight from San Francisco to Oregon. The aircraft, which carried 139 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Oregon. The missing panel was identified during a post-flight inspection on the 25-year-old plane. It was specifically located on the underside of the aircraft near the wing-body junction and landing gear area.
United Airlines has begun an investigation alongside the FAA to determine the cause of the missing panel. Both the runway and airfield were examined for debris, but none was found related to the incident. United Airlines has assured that the aircraft will undergo all necessary repairs before it is returned to service. The airline emphasized its dedication to passenger safety in light of this event.
This incident contributes to a series of recent challenges involving Boeing aircraft, including a door plug blowing off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 mid-air and a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX veering off the runway in Houston. Additionally, there was a case where fumes in the cabin of a Boeing 737-800 Alaska Airlines flight led to a return to Portland airport, although no serious injuries were reported. Following the panel blow-off incident in January, the Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation, highlighting the severity of these safety concerns.
Boeing has directed inquiries regarding the latest incident to United Airlines while facing increased regulatory scrutiny over its safety and production practices.
