Posted on 03/15/2024 4:09:49 PM PDT by rxsid
Discovery of Missing Panel on Boeing 737 Causes Closure of Medford Airport Runways
Earlier today, an inbound United Airlines 737-824, Flight UA433, prompted the full closure of both runways at the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR). The incident, while causing a temporary disruption, concluded with no reported injuries.
Upon its safe landing, all passengers disembarked at Gate 5 without any complications. However, ground crews observed a missing panel on the Boeing aircraft. Details regarding the specific panel remain undisclosed at this time, but Medford Alert can confirm it was towards the bottom of the aircraft.
Amber Judd, the Director of MFR Airport, informed Medford Alert that the closure was essential as ground crews conducted thorough searches to ensure no debris posed a risk to aircraft operations. Fortunately, their search yielded no findings, and the runways reopened shortly thereafter.
Judd emphasized that the United Airlines crew could not pinpoint the exact location where the panel became detached. Despite the unsettling incident, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
At present, the aircraft remains parked at the jet bridge at Gate 5 as investigators continue their examination. The damaged aircraft (N26226) is 25-years old (12/22/1998) and was originally a Continental Airlines plane prior to merging with United Airlines in 2011.
As the investigation progresses, further updates will be provided.
Medford Alert reached out to United Airlines and received the following response:
This afternoon United flight 433 landed safely at its scheduled destination at Rogue Valley International/Medford Airport. After the aircraft was parked at the gate, it was discovered to be missing an external panel. We’ll conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all the needed repairs before it returns to service. We’ll also conduct an investigation to better understand how this damage occurred. Aircraft did not declare an emergency into MFR, as there was no indication of the damage during flight.
There were 139 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
Quite a sight as United #433 lands at Medford Airport this afternoon after panel apparently lost in-flight from San Francisco. No injuries, all safe, per updates coming in from our reporters. Plane is a 25-year-old Boeing 737-824 More coming soon from@RogueValTimes
newsroom. pic.twitter.com/IlN7c1d5mF— David Sommers (@david_sommers) March 15, 2024
I'm sure DEI hires have nothing to do with these maintenance "issues."
DIE will kill ya.
Yup!
That’s a LOT of “missing panel”.
How many other instances of this particular panel being “missing: are there?
These problems are entirely on United, not on Boeing.
I also don’t think they’re evidence of incompetence.
I think they’re sabotage.
“I think they’re sabotage.”
At this point, I have to agree.
If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
From just 2 days ago: United Airlines reports fifth incident in over a week as US-bound flight returns to Australia
And then, of course, there is the Boeing Whistleblower: Boeing whistleblower John Barnett ‘made powerful enemies’ before his death, as workers ‘skeptical’ he killed himself
'If anything happens to me, it’s not suicide,’ friend of dead Boeing whistleblower says he told her
How dare you speak the truth. Prepare to be re-educated right here in freeperland.
These problems are entirely on United, not on Boeing.
I also don’t think they’re evidence of incompetence.
I think they’re sabotage.
Not true.
Boeing Subcontractor Scrutinized Over Door Plug Failure
Spirit AeroSystems
"Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., is an American aerostructure manufacturer. The company, based in Wichita, Kansas, builds several important pieces of Boeing aircraft, including the fuselage of the 737 and 787, as well as the flight deck section of the fuselage of nearly all of Boeing airliners."
The Boeing 737 fuselage, built at Wichita's Spirit AeroSystems, being shipped to final assembly in the Seattle, Washington area.
Unreal!
Sounds like sabotage
These incidents are sabotage.
Good Lord.
No, this looks like an integrity failure, not maintenance related (although maybe revealing a flawed inspection process).
Huh, another United plane with a maintenance issue. Imagine that. Hey United, how’s that tranny CEO and all that DEI workin’ out for ya?
It looks like integrity failure only in that it was flapping around in the air stream before tearing off.
That points to either a failure to secure it properly, or that the latch or hinges were too worn.
Main landing gear cover. On a 25 year old aircraft that has been through tens of thousands of take off and landing cycles, fatigue could definitely be a factor.
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