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American Airlines flight loses panel during takeoff, continues to fly to Paris
American Airlines yesterday released an internal memo in which they comment on a April 20 incident that involved an AA flight that took off from Dallas, promptly lost a "large panel" on the underside of the plane during its initial ascent, and proceeded all the way to Paris, despite both the captain and crew confirming that they knew something was amiss.Just what was wrong the crew didn't seem to know until touching down in Paris. And it doesn't seem that passengers were aware that anything was unusual. Several crew members managed to snap photos of the missing panel after landing, and circulated the shots in e-mails. The photos were attached to the internal member that CNN managed to obtain.
The company issued the statement after receiving upset e-mails from passengers, who stumbled upon pictures of the missing panel on the Internet.
All AA is saying is that it is investigating the matter.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Click the image to read the bizarre story...
Filed under: Airlines, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Paul Brady May 8th 2008 4:18PM
As far as I can tell, the memo wasn't "released" or "issued" by American. They aren't commenting on the situation, remember?A memo about this was, however, leaked to Terry Maxon at the Dallas Morning News. He published it yesterday, hours before CNN claims to have "obtained" it.You can read it here. It's interesting.
Paul Brady May 8th 2008 4:31PM
Hmmm... that link didn't go through. Try this: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/aa-jet-loses-panel-on-way-to-p.html
onnie May 8th 2008 4:45PM
american airlines is just an accident waiting to happen. check their history. not so good.
Web May 9th 2008 2:39PM
Made in America.....what a mess.
B. A. May 9th 2008 3:15PM
Oh, GREAT! I have an American Airlines flight to Paris in August. I had better say my prayers before I get on the plane.
Sarah May 9th 2008 3:06PM
This is exactly why I don't fly on American Airlines
josiane May 9th 2008 11:38PM
i have this argument for years with my husband , i refused to fly AA for this reason , They do not maintain their planes.
gus gus May 9th 2008 3:13PM
I think next time I'll just walk to Paris!!
Bill May 9th 2008 3:17PM
Just a continuation of the deteriorating conditions at AA. Lousy on time performance (38% off in March), lousy customer service (delays or cancelations on my last 3 trips with them, no apologies or regerets from supervisors), fake weather delays when mechanical issues reported by pilots. No back up equipment. Will planes fall from the sky before they realize they are out of control?
John May 9th 2008 3:31PM
The guys on Apollo 13 didn't know the exact extent of the damage until they undocked from the service module and looked at it through the window as it went by. However, they had no option to turn around early. The good news was that they were able to turn around at all.
ed jarose May 9th 2008 3:36PM
FLY CONTINENTAL
@#$%^! May 9th 2008 3:54PM
That's why I never fly on American air carriers. I always go foreign; they're maintenance standards are much better. Laissez faire won't get you there alive.
onnie May 9th 2008 4:22PM
you don't have to sit through the videos that we have to every year on accidents. there have been some real doozies with foreign airline that you never hear about. but go ahead and fly them.
doc May 9th 2008 4:08PM
onnie said...
american airlines is just an accident waiting to happen. check their history. not so good
i know their history, one of the best, perhaps YOU should do a little research before you spew blatant lies.
onnie May 9th 2008 4:22PM
i also know their history. i know how many flights you cancel. i also know about your maintenance problems.
BRUCE May 9th 2008 4:13PM
BE SAFE....DON'T FLY AT ALL. NONE OF THEM ARE SAFE ANY MORE. Y'ALL WANTED CHEAP AIRFARES, AND IT ($) HAD TO COME FROM SOMEPLACE. ANY AIRLINE PILOT WHO IS STILL FLYING IS A LOSER. WHAT HAS ALPA DONE FOR YOU SINCE 911? ALLOWED TSA TO CONTINUE TO HARRASS FLIGHT CREWS, ALLOWED AIRLINES TO REDUCE PAY AND BENEFITS, AND ALLOWED THE GOVERNMENT & AIRLINES TO ELIMINATE PENSIONS. SO AIRLINE PILOTS ARE BASICALLY WORKING FOR FREE.
SIGN ME A RETIRE AIRLINE CAPTAIN...CHECK MY PROFILE (BFORR)
nancy lee May 10th 2008 2:05AM
I agree. My son had the opportunity to become a pilot (Purdue's program)--I encouraged him but am now relieved that he, instead, has chosen biology/science research and medicine. I was a flight attendant--ended-up becoming a nurse/lawyer---I LOVED to fly--now feel unsafe and terribly sorry for flight crew/pilots--they deserve far better wages and benefits including pensions since thery retire at 60-the worst aspect, I think, is that pilots have lost a certain amount of dignity in all of this mess--a shame
Linda May 9th 2008 9:26PM
So when you do fly which seems like it has been three times in the past five years, what airline did you choose or do you continue to stick with your old company as you know the pilot or something?
Rene May 17th 2008 4:42PM
DEREGULATION=UNACONTABILITY
CHEAP IS CHEAP
NOT ONLY ARE THE AIRPLANES FILTHY BECAUSE THEY DON'T CLEAN THEM WHEN PASSENGERS LEAVE,THE CREWS HAVE AN ATTITUDE TOWARD PASSENGERS
THAT REFLECTS THE STRESS THEY ARE ENDURING
WITH THEIR WORK.AS A DEREGULATED INDUSTRY
THE AIRLINES ARE GIVEN GIDELINES FOR MAINTENANCE THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW ON A VOLONTARY BASIS.
LAbbott123 May 9th 2008 11:17PM
As the gay Chinaman said when he fell off the boat and became entangled in the fishing lines, "Lookie lookie, balls on hookie."