FAA investigates how a United Boeing 737-800 lost an external panel in mid-air

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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating how a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 lost an external panel before landing safely in Oregon Friday, Reuters reported.

United Flight 433 landed at Medford Airport around 1:45 p.m. carrying 139 passengers and six crew after departing from San Francisco, the FAA and airline said.

The FAA said a post-landing airline inspection of the 25-year-old airplane revealed a missing panel. United said it will also investigate and said no emergency was declared because there was no indication of the damage during flight.

United tells Boeing to stop making its Max 10s due to delays

“We’ll conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all the needed repairs before it returns to service,” the airline said in a statement.

In the aftermath of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency prompted by a door plug blowout, U.S. aviation incidents are getting more attention.

Boeing has been under intense scrutiny, with investigations into the company’s safety and quality standards in its production process.

Photo Credit: David Sommers – @RogueValTimes