American Airlines Jet Hit by Gunfire After Miami Landing

An American Airlines aircraft was discovered with bullet holes in its exterior after landing in Miami following a round-trip flight to Medellín, Colombia, prompting an investigation by Colombian authorities.

The incident came to light on Monday, February 23, when maintenance crews identified punctures on the fuselage during a routine post-flight inspection in Miami. The airline confirmed that the aircraft was immediately removed from service for further examination and repairs.

Preliminary findings cited by ABC News indicate the aircraft may have been struck while landing in Medellín on Sunday, February 22. Local officials in Colombia are investigating the circumstances surrounding the apparent gunfire, though no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows that a Boeing 737-8 operated by American Airlines flew from Miami to Medellín on Sunday evening before returning to Miami the following morning. Later that same day, the aircraft continued to Dallas, Texas, arriving at 10:23 p.m. local time. According to the airline, the aircraft was routed to Dallas for further maintenance and repair work. American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

In a statement, the carrier said the puncture did not affect the safe operation of the flight. “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.

While gunfire incidents involving commercial aircraft are rare, they are treated with high priority by aviation authorities due to the potential safety risks. Investigators are expected to review airport security conditions, air traffic control records, and physical evidence from the aircraft to determine how and when the damage occurred.

The aircraft remains out of service pending a full inspection and necessary repairs. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the source of the gunfire or whether any arrests have been made.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, abcnews.com