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
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
May 8th 2008 @ 4:18PM
Paul Brady said...
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.
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May 8th 2008 @ 4:31PM
Paul Brady said...
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
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May 8th 2008 @ 4:45PM
onnie said...
american airlines is just an accident waiting to happen. check their history. not so good.
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May 9th 2008 @ 2:39PM
Web said...
Made in America.....what a mess.
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:06PM
Sarah said...
This is exactly why I don't fly on American Airlines
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May 9th 2008 @ 11:38PM
josiane said...
i have this argument for years with my husband , i refused to fly AA for this reason , They do not maintain their planes.
May 9th 2008 @ 3:13PM
gus gus said...
I think next time I'll just walk to Paris!!
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:15PM
B. A. said...
Oh, GREAT! I have an American Airlines flight to Paris in August. I had better say my prayers before I get on the plane.
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:17PM
Bill said...
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?
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:31PM
John said...
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.
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:36PM
ed jarose said...
FLY CONTINENTAL
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May 9th 2008 @ 3:54PM
@#$%^! said...
That's why I never fly on American air carriers. I always go foreign; they're maintenance standards are much better. Laissez faire won't get you there alive.
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May 9th 2008 @ 4:22PM
onnie said...
you don't have to sit through the videos that we have to every year on accidents. there have been some real doozies with foreign airline that you never hear about. but go ahead and fly them.
May 9th 2008 @ 4:08PM
doc said...
onnie said...
american airlines is just an accident waiting to happen. check their history. not so good
i know their history, one of the best, perhaps YOU should do a little research before you spew blatant lies.
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May 9th 2008 @ 4:22PM
onnie said...
i also know their history. i know how many flights you cancel. i also know about your maintenance problems.
May 9th 2008 @ 4:13PM
BRUCE said...
BE SAFE....DON'T FLY AT ALL. NONE OF THEM ARE SAFE ANY MORE. Y'ALL WANTED CHEAP AIRFARES, AND IT ($) 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)
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May 10th 2008 @ 2:05AM
nancy lee said...
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
May 9th 2008 @ 9:26PM
Linda said...
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?
May 9th 2008 @ 4:24PM
onnie said...
i don't have to make up lies. check the internet, check the faa. its all there.
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May 9th 2008 @ 5:52PM
Janice said...
I believe doc and bruce. The Airlines do not care about their crews or the safety of its clients. All they care about is money. Pure greed and substandard service.
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