Bullet Hole Found in American Airlines Plane

Damage discovered during routine inspection in Colombia

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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An American Airlines jet was taken out of service after a suspicious "puncture" was discovered during a routine inspection in Medellín, Colombia. Sources say the puncture was a bullet hole that extends through the right-hand aileron, a flight control surface attached to the wing. The 737 Max 8 flew from Miami to Medellin on Sunday, and the airline said no injuries were reported and no problems were noted during flight operations before the damage was discovered.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about aircraft security and the potential safety risks posed by any damage to critical flight control surfaces. It also highlights the need for thorough inspections and cooperation between airlines, regulators, and authorities to determine the cause and origin of such incidents.

The details

According to documents seen by CBS News, the puncture "extends all the way through the right-hand aileron," a flight control surface attached to the wing. The airline said the plane was immediately pulled from service for inspection and repair, and it plans to cooperate with "all relevant authorities" to determine what happened. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft returned to Miami on Monday after temporary repairs and flew to Dallas around 12 hours later, but has not flown since.

  • The incident was discovered during a routine inspection in Medellín, Colombia, on Sunday, February 26, 2026.
  • The aircraft flew from Miami to Medellin on Sunday, February 26, 2026.

The players

American Airlines

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

Colombia's Civil Aeronautical Authority

The aviation regulator in Colombia that is aware of the reports and waiting for official information on the incident.

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What’s next

The airline and relevant authorities in Colombia and the United States are expected to continue investigating the cause and origin of the damage to determine if any safety or security measures need to be addressed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of thorough aircraft inspections and the need for close cooperation between airlines, regulators, and authorities to ensure the safety and security of commercial air travel.