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A formal investigation is underway after maintenance crews discovered what appeared to be bullet holes on an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 following its return from Medellín’s Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) to Miami International Airport (MIA) yesterday.
The aircraft is only 2.8 years old and had just operated flight AA 923 from Miami International Airport (MIA) to José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) on February 22nd (where it remained overnight). The following morning, it departed as flight AA 924 and landed safely back at Miami International Airport (MIA) at approximately 10:24 AM. Passengers disembarked normally, and there were no reports of in-flight abnormalities, pressurization issues, emergencies, or injuries during the roughly three-hour journey.
The suspected damage was identified during a routine post-flight inspection at Miami International Airport (MIA). Maintenance crews observed multiple puncture marks on the right wing assembly. The markings were described as consistent with possible ballistic impacts. Temporary structural patching was applied overnight in Miami before the aircraft was ferried later on February 23rd to American Airlines’ primary maintenance base at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for further analysis. The aircraft remains grounded pending a comprehensive evaluation.
American Airlines has initiated a joint investigation with US and Colombian authorities to determine when and how the damage occurred. Colombian officials are reviewing security procedures at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE). Investigators are examining whether the aircraft may have been struck while parked overnight, during takeoff, or on final approach. As of earlier today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had not yet been formally notified but is expected to become involved as the probe continues. No group has claimed responsibility and authorities have not confirmed whether the damage resulted from gunfire or another source. The precise origin remains under active investigation.
The incident follows a series of bullet-strike events involving US airlines in November 2024 at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. During those events, aircraft operated by American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue sustained gunfire damage during arrival or departure (with one case resulting in injuries to a flight attendant). In response, American temporarily suspended the route for several months. Around the same time, a Southwest Airlines aircraft was also struck while taxiing at Dallas Love Field.
American Airlines has not announced any suspension or operational changes to its Medellín flights. The airline released the following statement:
Following a routine inspection, our teams identified a puncture to the exterior of one of our aircraft in Medellín, Colombia. The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.”
Anthony’s Take: Thankfully, no one was hurt. But, how scary is it for a commercial aircraft to be struck by bullets?
(Featured Image Credit: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
