A recent incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 has sparked an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft, flying as Flight 433 from San Francisco to Oregon, landed safely at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport. However, upon inspection after landing, it was discovered that an external panel was missing from the aircraft.

The FAA is now delving into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the panel, which was situated on the underside of the plane, near the wing-body junction and adjacent to the landing gear. The incident, occurring around 20:45 GMT on Friday, has prompted concerns regarding aircraft safety.

Following the landing, Medford airport took precautionary measures by pausing operations to conduct a thorough check of the runway and airfield for any debris. Fortunately, no debris was found, according to Amber Judd, the airport's director.

The Boeing 737-800, which is approximately 25 years old, had 139 passengers and six crew members on board during the incident. Remarkably, there were no reported injuries.

This incident adds to a series of recent events raising questions about the safety of Boeing aircraft. In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a similar issue when a panel intended for an extra emergency door blew out midair shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. This forced the pilots to make an emergency landing, resulting in minor injuries reported among passengers and crew.

As a response to these incidents, US regulators initiated investigations into Boeing's safety and quality standards in its production process. This led to the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners worldwide, affecting 171 planes. The FAA identified "non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control" following an audit of the company. Furthermore, the National Transportation Safety Board and the US Department of Justice launched separate investigations into Boeing, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

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