Bullet hole discovered in American Airlines plane at Medellin airport

A bullet hole was discovered in an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 at Medellin airport. Found during a routine inspection, the puncture was consistent with a bullet strike. American Airlines has la...

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Bullet hole discovered in American Airlines plane at Medellin airport

Get you up to speed: Bullet hole discovered in American Airlines plane at Medellin airport

A Boeing 737 Max 8 has been pulled from service after a bullet hole was discovered in the exterior during a routine inspection at Colombia’s Medellin airport. The puncture was found on the plane’s right aileron, and American Airlines launched an investigation into the incident, repairing the aircraft before returning it to Dallas for further inspections.

A Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by American Airlines has been removed from service after a bullet hole was discovered in the right aileron during an inspection at Colombia’s Medellin airport. The airline stated, “We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident,” and has already carried out repairs before returning the aircraft to Dallas for further assessment. According to Colombia’s Civil Aeronautical Authority, they are “attentive to any official communication from international agencies or the airline that may clarify the facts and determine the origin of the reported issues.”

A Boeing 737 Max 8 was taken out of service after airport workers discovered a bullet hole in its right aileron during a routine inspection at Medellin airport. American Airlines has launched an investigation into the incident and has repaired the aircraft before flying it back to Dallas for further inspections. Colombia’s Civil Aeronautical Authority remains attentive to any communications from relevant agencies to clarify the origin of the reported issues.

What we know so far

Mystery bullet hole found in American Airlines plane | News World

An American Airlines plane makes its final approach at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Staff saw the puncture on the plane’s right aileron (Picture: AP)

A Boeing 737 Max 8 has been pulled from service after airport workers found a bullet hole in the exterior.

During a routine inspection of the American Airlines jet that had landed from Miami, staff at Colombia’s Medellin airport noticed the puncture.

Upon closer inspection, they found a small round hole with an exit point – consistent with what could be a bullet strike on the aircraft.

American Airlines launched an investigation into the puncture and repaired it before flying it back to Dallas for further inspections.

The flight to Medellin had no issues and no injuries from the bullet hole, with Colombia’s Civil Aeronautical Authority issuing a statement after.

‘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,’ it said.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 24: An American Airlines plane lands at the Miami International Airport on July 24, 2025 in Miami, Florida. American Airlines issued a cautious forecast for the third quarter and narrowed its full-year guidance, due to ongoing uncertainty in travel demand. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
It’s unclear when the plane was struck by the bullet (Picture: Getty)

American Airlines said: ‘The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.’

The puncture marks were found on the plane’s right aileron, which is used to control the aircraft’s roll and lateral balance.

Authorities aren’t quite sure when the plane was struck by the bullet, but believe it may have happened while landing in Colombia.

A week ago, Gatwick Airport’s train station was cordoned off after reports of a man carrying firearms on board a train.

The services on the Gatwick railway line ground to a halt after the alarm was raised, with eyewitnesses saying a man on board a train from Brighton was carrying a firearm.

Emergency services descended on the station, including officers from British Transport Police and Sussex Police.

Officers discovered a man carrying two imitation firearms, and he was detained.

A British Transport Police spokesperson told WTX News: ‘We received a report at 12.45pm on 20 February of a man on board a train from Brighton with a firearm.

‘Sussex Police officers met the train at Gatwick Airport and arrested a man in possession of two imitation firearms. 

‘BTP officers are investigating.’

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