MEDELLIN- Authorities and airline officials are investigating after a bullet hole was reportedly discovered on an American Airlines (AA) Boeing 737-8 MAX following a recent international flight.
The aircraft had operated a scheduled service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Colombia before engineers identified exterior damage.
American Airlines confirmed that maintenance teams detected a puncture during a routine post-flight inspection. The aircraft was immediately removed from passenger service as a precaution, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
American Airlines 737 Bullet Strike
According to the airline, technicians discovered what was described as a puncture to the aircraft’s outer fuselage.
The damage was identified after the aircraft completed its scheduled service and underwent standard maintenance checks.
American Airlines stated that it removed the aircraft from service for further inspection and repair. The airline also indicated it would coordinate with relevant authorities to review the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Although the damage was associated with the aircraft’s time in Medellin, officials have not confirmed when or where the suspected bullet impact occurred.
The aircraft later operated a non-revenue ferry flight to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where it remains under technical evaluation.
The aircraft involved is identified as a two-year-old Boeing 737 MAX, registered as N342SX. It had completed a round-trip between Miami and Medellin, operating as Flight AA924 on its return sector, before the issue came to light.
Regulatory Response to the Bullet Puncture
According to PYOK, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the incident had not been formally reported to the agency at the time of initial inquiries.
Airlines typically notify regulators if an event meets mandatory reporting thresholds related to safety or operational disruption.
American Airlines emphasized that the flight crew did not report any abnormal events during the journey. The aircraft completed both sectors without operational complications, and passengers disembarked normally.
The airline’s decision to ground the jet reflects established safety protocols, which require thorough inspection of any structural irregularity.
Even minor exterior punctures trigger detailed engineering assessments to ensure continued airworthiness.
Similar Security Incidents
The reported discovery follows several recent aviation security concerns involving gunfire incidents. In late 2024, multiple U.S. carriers experienced bullet strikes while operating at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
In one case, a Spirit Airlines (NK) Airbus A320 sustained cabin penetration from gunfire during final approach, injuring a flight attendant.
On the same day, separate American Airlines and JetBlue aircraft were also found to have sustained bullet-related damage after departing Haiti, though no passengers were harmed.
Additionally, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was struck by a bullet while taxiing at Dallas Love Field Airport, again without injuries. These events prompted heightened scrutiny regarding airport perimeter security in certain regions.
Bottom Line
At this stage, there is no official confirmation that the Medellin case involved deliberate gunfire.
Investigators will examine maintenance data, airport surveillance information, and operational records to determine the source and timing of the damage.
The aircraft remains out of commercial service pending completion of inspections and any necessary structural repairs.
American Airlines continues to operate its scheduled services between Miami and Medellin without disruption, using other aircraft from its fleet.
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