Medford, Oregon – United Airlines has reported a missing external panel on one of its planes following a recent flight from San Francisco. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, landed safely at its scheduled destination in Medford, Oregon. Fortunately, none of the 139 passengers or six crew members onboard were injured during the incident.
The discovery of the missing panel adds to Boeing’s recent string of mishaps, as the aviation company continues to face scrutiny over safety concerns. United Airlines has stated that they will conduct a thorough examination of the aircraft and make any necessary repairs before it returns to service.
This incident comes on the heels of a series of problems that Boeing has encountered, including a previous mid-flight panel blowout on a Boeing 737 MAX plane in January. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded 170 aircraft of the same type. The Department of Justice has also initiated a criminal inquiry into the matter.
In light of these issues, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has urged Boeing to cooperate in the ongoing investigations. Buttigieg emphasized the need for Boeing to undergo a significant transformation in terms of responsiveness, culture, and quality standards.
Recent events have further underscored concerns about aviation safety, with incidents like a United Airlines Boeing 737 emergency landing in Texas after an engine explosion, and a mid-air drop on a LATAM Airlines flight prompting passenger injuries. These incidents highlight the importance of thorough investigations and safety measures within the aviation industry.