Bullet impact discovered on American Airlines plane arriving from Colombia

Wednesday 25 February 2026 - 12:15

By: Sahili Aya

Bullet impact discovered on American Airlines plane arriving from Colombia

A possible bullet impact has been discovered on the fuselage of an aircraft operated by American Airlines following a flight between Medellín, Colombia, and Miami, prompting safety inspections and an official investigation into the incident.

According to airline officials, the damage was identified during a routine post-flight inspection after the aircraft landed in Miami. Maintenance teams reported a small perforation on the exterior structure, located on the right wing area, which raised concerns about a potential projectile impact.

The airline confirmed that the aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service to undergo thorough technical checks and repairs. The company also stated that it would cooperate closely with relevant authorities to determine the origin and circumstances of the damage.

No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the flight itself was completed without any operational issues. Aviation sources indicated that the aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, had recently operated flights between Miami and Medellín before the anomaly was detected during standard maintenance procedures.

As a precautionary measure, the aircraft was later flown without passengers to Dallas, where the airline’s headquarters and maintenance facilities are located, in order to carry out more extensive examinations and repairs.

Aviation experts note that even minor structural damage to an aircraft is treated with extreme seriousness due to strict international safety regulations. Airlines routinely perform detailed inspections to ensure airworthiness and passenger safety, especially when unexpected marks or perforations are found on critical components.

The incident highlights broader concerns related to aviation security and the importance of post-flight inspections, particularly on routes operating in regions where external risks or unidentified impacts cannot be immediately ruled out. Authorities are expected to analyze technical data, maintenance records and operational conditions to establish whether the perforation was caused by a ballistic object or another external factor.