American Airlines 737 MAX 8 Found with Bullet Hole After Miami-Medellín Flight

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was removed from service earlier this week after a bullet hole was discovered in the aircraft’s right wing following a round-trip rotation between Miami and Medellín, Colombia. The incident, which took place between February 22 and February 23, 2026, has prompted investigations by safety authorities in both the United States and Colombia.

According to reporting by CBS News, the damage was identified on a flight control surface, specifically the aileron, consistent with a projectile strike. While the flight landed safely without injury to passengers or crew, the discovery highlights ongoing security concerns regarding flight operations in specific regions of Latin America.

Incident Details and Timeline

The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N342SX. It operated Flight AA923 from Miami International Airport (MIA) to José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, serving Medellín, on the night of Sunday, February 22. It was scheduled to return as Flight AA924 on the morning of Monday, February 23.

According to data summarized by aviation tracking outlets, the damage involved a puncture hole in the right wing aileron, a critical flight control surface used to bank the aircraft. The damage reportedly showed clear entry and exit points indicative of a bullet strike.

Conflicting Accounts of Discovery

While the existence of the damage is confirmed, reports differ regarding when the bullet hole was first detected. Two primary narratives have emerged from aviation journalism sources:

• The Medellín Discovery Scenario: Citing a statement attributed to American Airlines, CBS News reports that the damage was identified during a routine inspection while the aircraft was still on the ground in Medellín. In this version of events, temporary repairs were reportedly made overnight, allowing the plane to operate the return flight to Miami safely.
• The Miami Discovery Scenario: Conversely, outlets such as AviationSource and AirLive report that the damage was only discovered after the return flight (AA924) had already landed in Miami on Monday morning. This scenario implies the aircraft may have flown passengers back to the U.S. carrying undetected damage.

Following the conclusion of its passenger service, the aircraft was ferried without passengers from Miami to the airline’s maintenance hub at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) on the night of February 23 for permanent repairs.

Official Statements and Investigation

American Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement provided to media outlets. The carrier emphasized that safety remained the priority throughout the operation.

“The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.”

, American Airlines statement via CBS News

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In Colombia, the Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) announced it would launch an investigation to determine the origin of the projectile. According to local reports, Aerocivil is working to establish whether the impact occurred while the aircraft was in Colombian airspace or on the ground. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also aware of the incident and is expected to collaborate on the inquiry.

Regional Security Context

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened security alerts in the Rionegro area, where the Medellín airport is located. Local reporting indicates that a significant shooting and police pursuit occurred in Rionegro on February 18, 2026, just days before the aircraft was struck. Authorities have maintained a high alert status at the airport following recent arrests of international fugitives.

AirPro News Analysis

Operational Risk in Latin America

This event marks another concerning instance of commercial aircraft becoming collateral damage in volatile security environments. In late 2024, aircraft from Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines were struck by gunfire while operating near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, leading to a temporary suspension of flights to that region. While the security situation in Medellín is distinct from Haiti, the vulnerability of aircraft during approach and landing, phases where they are low and slow, remains a critical challenge for airline security teams.

The discrepancy in the timeline of discovery is also significant. If the damage was indeed found in Miami rather than Medellín, it raises questions about the efficacy of turnaround inspections at outstations. Conversely, if it was found and patched in Colombia, it suggests the airline determined the damage was within the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) limits for a safe ferry or revenue flight, a standard but rigorously controlled practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was anyone injured during the incident?
No. There were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew on either the inbound or outbound flights.

What type of plane was involved?
The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a common narrow-body jet used for short- to medium-haul international routes.

Is it safe to fly to Medellín?
Flights continue to operate. However, aviation authorities and airlines constantly monitor security situations. Following similar incidents in other regions, airlines have occasionally adjusted flight paths or schedules, though no suspension of service to Medellín has been announced at this time.

Sources

• CBS News