A United Airlines jet was found to be missing an external panel after completing a scheduled flight to southern Oregon on Friday.
The Boeing 737-800, operating as United Flight 433, landed at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR) shortly before noon after an hour-long flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
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After arriving at the gate, a routine inspection found a missing panel on the underside of the aircraft, near where the wing meets the body of the plane. A photo first published by the Rogue Valley Times showed a jagged piece of metal plating appearing as if a piece of it had been torn away. The panel covered mechanical parts next to where the landing gear deploys.
There was nothing to suggest the damage during what appeared to be a routine flight, a United spokesperson said, meaning the aircraft did not declare an emergency. The damage was only discovered after the…