MEDFORD, Ore. – A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport was met with a surprising discovery upon arrival. A missing panel on the Boeing 737-800 was found during a post-flight inspection on Friday, raising concerns about the safety of the aircraft as incidents involving Boeing planes have been making headlines.
The aircraft, United Flight 433, landed safely without incident, and no injuries were reported. However, the missing panel on the plane’s exterior was noticed after the flight had landed. Airport officials quickly paused operations to inspect the runway and airfield for any debris, which thankfully turned out to be clear.
Amber Judd, the airport’s director, suspected that it was either the United ground crew or the pilots conducting a routine inspection before the next flight who observed the missing panel. The plane was carrying 139 passengers and six crew members, and despite the external damage, no emergency was declared during the flight.
United Airlines confirmed that they would thoroughly examine the plane, make all necessary repairs, and investigate the cause of the damage before returning it to service. The Federal Aviation Administration also announced plans to conduct its investigation into the incident.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, deferred comment to United regarding the plane and its operations. This incident comes after a panel on a Boeing Max 9 jet blew off midair during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, causing an emergency landing and raising questions about the safety of Boeing aircraft.
The missing panel was located on the underside of the aircraft near the wing-body connection and landing gear. The Boeing 737-800 involved in the incident has been in operation since 1998 and is currently operated by United Airlines. Following the recent string of airplane incidents, the aviation industry is under heightened scrutiny for safety and maintenance practices.
In a separate incident, fumes detected in the cabin of another Boeing 737-800 Alaska Airlines flight prompted a return to the Portland airport. Passengers and crew noticed the fumes, leading to a safe landing, although seven individuals requested medical evaluations. While no serious injuries were reported, these incidents highlight the importance of proactive safety measures in the aviation industry.