Panel door from airliner falls on Mt. Holly golf course

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — The door fell off American Airlines flight 1910 from Dallas that was landing at Charlotte Douglas Airport.

"It was flying right over top of our heads,” golfer Brian Francis said.

The panel door covers the hydraulic servicing area, which is not a pressurized area of the aircraft. It would not cause a flight safety issue, airline officials said.

Sonny Barrett said fate may have saved him from standing in the path of the door panel.

"Just twirling around in the air, falling to the ground,” Barrett said.

Barrett and two other golfers heard the plane in the clouds flying over the course.

American Airlines said they are working with the FAA who is also investigating.

The golfers told Channel 9 the FAA was angry when they arrived to inspect the part only to learn that an employee for American Airlines had already taken it away.

"American Airlines Flight 1910, operated by US Airways, from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Charlotte (CLT) lost a small panel door prior to landing in CLT. The panel has been recovered, and no one was injured. The Airbus A321, operated by a crew of six, was carrying 146 passengers and landed at 8:44 a.m. ET. We have reported this incident to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The panel door covers the hydraulic servicing area, which is not a pressurized area of the aircraft. It would not cause a flight safety issue."

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