Colombian authorities are investigating after bullet holes were discovered on an American Airlines aircraft that operated a route between Medellín and Miami.
Officials said no injuries were reported and preliminary findings suggest the aircraft was struck while landing in Medellín on Sunday. The damage was identified after the plane returned to Miami, where maintenance crews conducted a routine post-flight inspection.
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In a statement, American Airlines confirmed that its teams found a puncture on the exterior of the aircraft. “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.
American Airlines jet lands in Miami with bullet holes after trip to Colombia https://t.co/p4MPzjWu6S pic.twitter.com/IhHfit2OMq
— New York Post (@nypost) February 24, 2026
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 departed Medellín for Miami on Monday morning and later flew from Miami to Dallas that evening. The aircraft was subsequently sent to Dallas-Fort Worth, the airline’s headquarters, for comprehensive evaluation and repairs.
American Airlines stated that the puncture did not affect the aircraft’s operational performance during the flight. The airline emphasized that safety procedures were followed and that the aircraft was withdrawn from service as a precaution.
Colombian authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that they are examining whether a criminal group may be responsible. However, officials cautioned that no conclusions have yet been reached.
The incident first gained public attention after it was shared on social media by an aviation-focused account, prompting further scrutiny.
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Authorities in Colombia and the United States are expected to continue coordinating as they determine how the damage occurred and whether any security measures need to be strengthened.