A routine inspection turned into a security scare when maintenance crews found damage on an American Airlines jet shortly after it arrived in South Florida.
According to the New York Post, the aircraft had just completed a flight from Colombia to Miami when technicians conducting a standard post-flight check noticed puncture marks on the right wing component responsible for helping control the plane’s balance.
A report from Airlive.net notes that the marks were identified as bullet holes on the 737 MAX 8’s right aileron. The discovery came after the aircraft landed at Miami International Airport on Monday.
American Airlines said the flight itself was uneventful and that no injuries or operational problems were reported during the trip.
“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 airline said in a statement.
The jet had previously been at José María Córdova International Airport in Colombia and was completing a round trip when the damage was found.
Flight tracking data indicated there were no delays or abnormalities during the journey.
It was not immediately clear how many passengers were on board, though the aircraft type typically seats more than 160 people.
After landing, technicians carried out temporary work on the wing surface to stabilize the area before the plane was taken out of rotation.
By Monday evening, the aircraft had been ferried to the airline’s primary maintenance base at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where engineers are conducting a more detailed examination.
The plane remains grounded while investigators determine how the damage occurred and whether any additional repairs are required.
Authorities have not released further details about when or where the punctures may have happened.
