The FAA is now investigating another Boeing mid-flight safety incident.
A United Airlines Boeing737-800 jet managed to land safely at Medford Airport, OR despite losing an external panel during the flight from San Francisco.
The plane was carrying 139 passengers and six crew.
The FAA said pilots were unaware of the missing fuselage panel on the Boeing 737 until it was discovered during a post-flight maintenance check.
“We’ll conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all the needed repairs before it returns to service,” United said.
The plane in question is about 25 years old.
Boeing remains under intense scrutiny as a FAA and NTSB investigation continues over a door plug blowout in January.
It left a gaping hole in the side of the plane
This incident, involving an Alaska Airlines flight, is now subject to a criminal investigation.
