17-3-2024 (SAN FRANCISCO) A startling incident unfolded during a United Airlines flight departing from San Francisco, California, on March 15, 2024, as an external panel of a Boeing 737 aircraft detached mid-flight.
The Boeing 737-800, carrying 139 passengers and six crew members, was en route when the missing panel was discovered upon landing at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport in Jackson County, Oregon.
The aircraft, constructed in late 1988 and operated by United Airlines since November 30, 2011, underwent a routine post-landing inspection at approximately 1:45 pm, revealing the absence of the external panel.
Another PDA case as United Airlines Boeing 737-824 plane (N26226) lands safely in Medford, Oregon with a belly fairing panel missing, after taking-off from San Francisco (SFO) via flight UA433 on 15 March.
United says the issue was first discovered when parked at the gate. pic.twitter.com/0bMSzMQVsY
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) March 15, 2024
Despite efforts to locate the panel, including a temporary halt in airport traffic, it remained elusive.
Boeing declined to provide comment, redirecting inquiries to United Airlines, which stated that no emergency was declared during the flight due to the absence of visible damage.
United Airlines affirmed its commitment to conducting a comprehensive examination of the aircraft and completing all necessary repairs before returning it to service. Additionally, the airline pledged to investigate the circumstances leading to the detachment of the external panel.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the U.S. has initiated an investigation into the incident.
This occurrence adds to a series of recent Boeing aircraft incidents, notably including an event on January 5, 2024, where a Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a fuselage panel detachment mid-flight during an Alaska Airlines journey from Portland to Ontario, California. Additionally, less than three weeks later, on January 20, a Boeing 757 aircraft’s nose wheel tyre dislodged and fell off as the plane prepared for takeoff on a Delta Airlines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
