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.
Does it look like it ripped right off the fasteners? No hinges?
That’s the one exception, and if the United maintenance problems (or sabotage) weren’t going on you’d never have heard of it.
Yeah, good question!
Don’t I see flap/aileron control hardware?
People who try to “re-educate” me get the middle finger.
;’}
It was the biggest story of them all...so far, so it got the most attention. Let’s see how the rest of all of these pan out.
Maybe not.
We know there's problems with Boeing. But that's not the issue in this case.
This Boeing hysteria is really stupid. It’s a 25 year old plane. At what point is the owner responsible for maintaining its equipment?
You’re correct. I see fasteners still in the frame. It looks like the panel was torn off.
Yep. The top part of the panel and its fasteners is visible.
CC
Lucky thing all Boeing whistleblowers commit suicide.
United has gone “full retard” with DIE, starting about a year and a half ago.
Maybe. Though that picture looks like the panel has been patched, you can see different shades of paint and what looks like primer. It is torn in a very odd pattern e.g. not along a seam or bolts.
A wheel coming loose could be sabotage or just poor maintenance. That rip in the sheet metal requires more explanation.
Where’s MY luggage?????
HOLY CRAP !!!!!
Right in front of the main wheel well.
Not a stress panel - not enough fasteners, but they all appear to be in place.
Honeycomb construction panel.
25 years old? I’m going to lean towards just plain old fatigue, as another poster noted.
Worked heavy transports in the military.
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