American Airlines Jet Lands in Miami with Bullet Holes After Colombia Trip

The aircraft landed safely despite the damage to its wing.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet landed at Miami International Airport on Monday with bullet holes found on the plane's right aileron during a routine post-flight inspection. The aircraft had just arrived from a flight originating in Colombia.

Why it matters

Incidents of aircraft sustaining damage from gunfire or other projectiles while in flight are extremely rare, raising concerns about the safety and security of air travel, especially on international routes. This incident will likely prompt investigations by aviation authorities and the airline to determine the cause and circumstances.

The details

According to reports, the bullet holes were discovered on the right aileron, which is responsible for the plane's lateral balance. Despite the damage, the aircraft was able to land safely at its destination in Miami. The airline and aviation authorities have not yet provided details on how the bullet holes occurred or if there were any safety risks during the flight.

  • The American Airlines flight AA923 landed at Miami International Airport on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The players

American Airlines

A major U.S. airline and one of the world's largest passenger air carriers.

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What’s next

Aviation authorities and American Airlines are expected to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the bullet holes and whether there were any safety risks during the flight.

The takeaway

This rare incident of an airliner sustaining apparent gunfire damage while in flight raises concerns about aviation security, especially on international routes, and will likely prompt a thorough investigation by regulators and the airline to ensure the continued safety of air travel.