Boeing 737-800 loses external panel mid-flight; no issues reported
By Patrick Reilly
Published March 15, 2024, 8:02 p.m. ET
The missing panel on Boeing 737-800 was discovered after landing.
Details of the Incident
A Boeing 737-800 lost an external panel mid-flight on Friday. The issue was discovered only after landing at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Oregon. The United Airlines Flight 433, which had 139 passengers and 6 crew members on board, departed from San Francisco and landed safely at its destination without any indication of a problem or declaring an emergency.
Upon reaching the gate, airport officials noticed the missing panel and temporarily halted operations for a runway safety check. However, no debris was found on the airfield, and normal airport operations resumed shortly after.
United Airlines has announced plans to conduct a thorough examination and necessary repairs on the 25-year-old plane before it returns to service. The incident will also be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Recent Boeing Incidents
This incident marks at least the seventh reported issue involving a Boeing plane in the last two weeks. These incidents have raised concerns regarding the safety and reliability of Boeing’s aircraft:
American Airlines Emergency Landing:
An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport due to a possible mechanical issue on a Boeing aircraft.
Fuel Leak on United Airlines Flight:
A United Airlines Flight heading from Sydney to San Francisco was forced to turn around mid-flight due to a fuel leak.
Technical Issue on Boeing 787 Dreamliner:
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Sydney to Auckland experienced a technical issue that resulted in injuries to 50 passengers.
United Airlines Flight Diverted to LAX:
A United Airlines flight bound for Japan diverted to Los Angeles International Airport after a tire fell off the Boeing 777-20 plane during takeoff.
Boeing has responded to these incidents by implementing weekly compliance checks and additional equipment audits to address quality problems. The company aims to ensure the safety and reliability of its aircraft.
