American Airlines has confirmed that a maintenance crew discovered a puncture on the exterior of one of its aircraft during a routine inspection in Medellín, Colombia. The finding was first reported by KGW, which cited an official statement from the airline. The inspection occurred after the aircraft completed a flight into Medellín. According to the report, the description of the puncture as a possible bullet hole originated from contextual observations rather than any confirmed determination by authorities or the airline. American Airlines has not characterized the puncture beyond its initial statement and has not released further details on the cause.

While the incident occurred abroad, it carries local relevance for Southwest Washington residents who travel internationally through Portland International Airport or Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Both airports host regular American Airlines service, and international connections through U.S. hubs are common for travelers originating from Longview, Kelso, and surrounding areas. At the time of publication, no federal agency had issued new advisories related to the incident, and no operational changes affecting American Airlines flights in or out of the Pacific Northwest had been publicly announced.

American Airlines stated that the aircraft involved has been removed from service for evaluation and any necessary maintenance. There have been no reports of injuries, and the airline’s statement confirmed that the puncture was found only after landing during a standard post‑flight inspection.

Authorities in Colombia and airline safety officials in the United States have not yet issued public findings regarding the cause of the puncture. No investigative body has drawn conclusions, and publicly available information remains limited to the airline’s confirmation of the puncture and the fact that it was discovered during maintenance procedures.

Why this matters locally

International aviation safety events can have downstream effects on regional travelers, including those in Cowlitz County who rely on national carriers for global connections. Any confirmed safety‑related incident—especially those occurring during ground operations or in foreign jurisdictions—can inform future inspections, regulatory responses, or security protocols that may eventually impact flights originating from Portland or Seattle. As of February 25, 2026, there is no indication of broader risk to American Airlines passengers or operations, but the incident remains under review by the relevant authorities abroad.

Sources

KGW: Possible bullet holes found on American Airlines plane following flight to Colombia