What do you think is the reason that airplanes are having so many problems?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (48524)
July 3, 2025 12:11am CST
It seems like every other day; we read or hear of an airplane with problems. Doors have fallen off. One plane landed upside down not long ago. There seem to be no end of problems.
Today, a Delta Boeing 737 lost part of its wing flap mid-flight: It was flying from Atlanta, Ga. to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The rather large sheet of metal was found in a Raleigh driveway. It was discovered as missing when the plane landed.
I used to fly a lot more than I do now. Travel was curtailed for me during the pandemic, and now more than ever I have to be here for my son. But my family flies for work, etc. and many of my friends often fly. I am getting concerned about all of these incidents.
Is it poor maintenance? I feel it has to be. Maybe they hurry too fast, and maybe they don't really know what they are doing? Either way...this is not good. People are starting to get more and more hesitant about flying. I do hope they aren't cutting too many corners, and putting people at risk, but it's looking like that's what's happening.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/delta-flight-leaving-atlanta-loses-piece-of-wing-in-north-carolina-driveway/vi-AA1HRfZ8?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=841eb61998744cc0ad20000fcf337d8e&ei=139
15 people like this
14 responses
@celticeagle (179722)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jul
Poor maintenance is right. I have been hearing this for years. And with Trump firing so many airline workers it is even tougher for these companies to do maintenance because they have so many other things to do. We need to get someone who cares to run this country. Saving a lot of money and killing a lot of people doesn't go together well in my book.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179722)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Jul
@MarieCoyle ........how can we live with him in office any longer?
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
3 Jul
Many are very concerned about the current state of affairs, for sure. I am one of those people.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
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5 Jul
@celticeagle
I have no idea what it's going to take to make things right at this point.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (483563)
• Italy
3 Jul
In my opinion is poor maintenance. The costs to keep an airplane at a hub are enormous, so the companies do not stop them enough for a full check up. Too hurry and too fast, correct. I remember boarding an airplane where there were still the leftovers of the food served not removed.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
3 Jul
I think you are right, and this is how I feel as well. Too fast, and way too hurried. I remember being on a flight waiting for take off, and we were delayed because someone forgot to refill the water tanks.
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@LadyDuck (483563)
• Italy
4 Jul
@MarieCoyle - We have often been delayed because the lights did not light up or for other minor problems. If those things were not checked it's because poor maintenance.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
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4 Jul
@LadyDuck
I fear this problem could continue to worsen if steps are not taken to improve the planes.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
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4 Jul
It seems there needs to be some serious overhauling in the airline industry, but then that is just my own opinion.
@May2k8 (18838)
• Indonesia
8 Jul
@MarieCoyle My uncle used to work as a mechanic and there was a mechanic who tried to make the machine not work and since the re-examination my uncle was blamed even though it was someone else who did it. Everyone should be involved in the investigation so that similar incidents do not happen again.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
7 Jul
It used to be standard practice that any maintenance done on a plane, from simple repairs to replacing parts, etc as well as regular maintenance, had to be checked out thoroughly by an official before the plane could be in service. All of these incidents make me wonder if that step has now been eliminated, I hope not.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
9 Jul
@May2k8
Yes, they need to be accountable and do the jobs in the correct way.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
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3 Jul
One thing that should never be cut is good maintenance. Cost cutting in the wrong places, if that is what is happening, can cost lives.
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@TheHorse (230542)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jul
@MarieCoyle Yeppers. Many crashes over the years have been caused by maintenance shortcuts.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (114144)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Jul
It could be that the airplanes are getting old and mechanical issues that are causing airplane crashes like the mechanical issues of a defective part of an airplane that was overlooked when a Japanese aircraft lost the tail section during a flight in Japan that crashed into a mountain.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
4 Jul
George, yes--and the cuts that have been made in air traffic control, etc. are also very concerning.
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@GardenGerty (165790)
• United States
4 Jul
Like many others, I feel like the maintenance is not being given the priority it should be. Cost cutting at the expense of safety or indifference on the part of the people who are supposed to do it. Like others I do not fly. I did some but it has been years now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
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4 Jul
If the employees are being rushed to do their job, or not given enough time to do it properly, it's all going to end in disaster.
@youless (113775)
• Guangzhou, China
3 Jul
This is a good question. I don't know why there will be so many plane problems recently. I guess the money can be an important reason. Perhaps the economy doesn't go well and the flights have to cut costs, such as maintenance, staff etc. They don't carry out the regulations well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
•
3 Jul
I wonder if they have made too many budget cuts in their training and maintenance. Too many accidents, crashes, and general mess-ups.
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@FourWalls (78766)
• United States
3 Jul
I looked up the NTSB data. There are an average of 100 plane crashes per month (the most recent year for stats, 2023, had 1,277 crashes for the year). And planes aren’t cars, they aren’t leased for three years then traded on a new model, so they’ll use them until they can’t use them anymore. I looked up the cost of ONE commercial airbus or 737: $89 million. That’s a lot of money for one airplane.
I still like driving too much to give it up for flying. Plus, I want me AND my luggage at the same place at the same time…something that’s less likely to happen at an airport. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
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3 Jul
I like car trips, and I really like to sometimes take the road less traveled...we miss so much zooming up and down interstates. Flying is very helpful if someone needs to get somewhere in a huge hurry--for an illness or accident of a family member or friend, etc...but I think we rely on it a lot more than we used to.
And yes, planes are expected to be in the air for years and years. They need GOOD, consistent maintenance, I personally don't think the planes are all getting that right now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
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3 Jul
I know several people that have avoided flying this year so far, they either drive or take the train. I don't really know which is safer to do. It's all concerning.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (88977)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jul
I don't know what is happening but I will not step on a plane ever again. Nothing might happen but I do know that my anxiety would be in overdrive. Can you imagine when I came to Florida I had to take three planes and for that reason alone I had proof positive that the spirit of my husband was with me all the way,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48524)
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4 Jul
I think many people are concerned over this. I did used to fly often, for work, etc. as well as with my family. Now, I really don't want to anymore.
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@MarieCoyle (48524)
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3 Jul
I love riding on the train. Unfortunately, long distance Amtrak is more expensive than a plane ride!
@MarieCoyle (48524)
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3 Jul
Or maybe really poor maintenance, or maybe a combination of things. I don’t suppose we will ever really know.
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