Mechanics apparently patched an entry and exit bullet hole on an aileron of an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 before it flew a scheduled flight from Medellín, Colombia, to Miami on Monday. According to CBS News, documents show the damage was found in Colombia after the plane had arrived from Miami Sunday evening. After field repairs, the aircraft took off from Medellin with passengers as scheduled for the return trip to Miami Monday morning. There it was removed from service and deadheaded to Dallas for permanent repairs.
“Following a routine inspection, our teams identified a puncture to the exterior of one of our aircraft in Medellín, Colombia,” American Airlines said in a statement to CBS News. “The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.” It’s not known where the plane may have taken the gunfire.
It is, or was, my impression the FAA does not allow patches or “Bondo” repair to flying surfaces, presumably because of concerns about the possible induction of flutter. At least that was the explanation given to me during repaint of my Comanche, where similar unauthorized repairs were revealed. It required reskinning of the entire stabilator.
Hydraulically controlled control surfaces cannot flutter. Love the Comanche, John.
Didnpt know that. Thanks! Gonna mount some hydraulic actuators on the Comanche—got some left over from my front loader!
Are composite fuselage or wings as easily repaired from small arms fire as aluminum?