Apparent Bullet Hole Found on American Airlines Plane From Miami to Colombia

The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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An apparent bullet hole was discovered on the outside of an American Airlines plane that originated in Miami and landed in Colombia. Ground crew in Colombia reported the 'puncture' in the right wing of a 737 MAX 8 aircraft upon its arrival from Miami. The airline stated the aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair, and they will work closely with authorities to investigate the incident.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the safety and security of commercial air travel, as any potential breach of an aircraft's exterior could pose a serious risk to passengers and crew. Authorities will need to thoroughly investigate the cause of the apparent bullet hole to determine if it was an isolated incident or part of a larger security threat.

The details

According to reports, the damage to the aircraft's right wing was consistent with a bullet strike. The plane returned to Miami on Monday morning and then landed in Dallas that night. American Airlines stated they will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate the incident, but did not provide additional details on when the puncture was discovered or what may have caused it.

  • The incident occurred on February 22, 2026 when the plane landed in Colombia.
  • The plane returned to Miami on February 24, 2026 and then landed in Dallas that same night.

The players

American Airlines

A major U.S. airline that operates the 737 MAX 8 aircraft involved in this incident.

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What they’re saying

“The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair.”

— American Airlines (USA Today)

What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the apparent bullet hole and determine if there are any broader security implications.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for rigorous safety and security protocols in commercial air travel to protect passengers and crew, and the importance of thorough investigations to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities.