Colombian authorities are investigating bullet holes found on an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 following a flight from Medellín to Miami. The damage was detected during a routine inspection, with no injuries or flight issues reported. The plane has been removed from service and sent for repairs in Dallas.
An American Airlines flight operating between Medellín, Colombia, and Miami encountered an incident over the weekend of February 23, 2026. According to Colombian officials, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was struck while landing in Medellín on Sunday. No injuries occurred, and the airline reported no flight-related problems.
The damage, described as bullet holes by officials and a source familiar with the matter, was identified during a routine inspection. American Airlines stated that teams "identified a puncture" on the plane's exterior. Reports vary on the inspection location: some indicate it occurred in Medellín, while others note it was upon the plane's return to Miami on Monday morning. The puncture affected the right aileron, a flight control surface on the wing responsible for roll and lateral balance.
"The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair," American Airlines said in a statement. "We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident." Following the discovery, the plane flew from Miami to Dallas later that evening, where American Airlines is headquartered, for complete repairs at Dallas-Fort Worth.
Colombian authorities are probing the matter, focusing on a possible criminal group, though nothing is conclusive. The incident was first shared on social media by aviation account JonNYC. Colombia's Civil Aeronautical Authority acknowledged reports of perforations on the plane but said it had not been contacted by the airline or U.S. authorities. "The Civil Aeronautics Authority remains attentive to any official communication from international agencies or the airline that may clarify the facts and determine the origin of the reported issues," the authority stated.
This event highlights ongoing security concerns at airports in the region, though details remain under investigation.
