FBI Investigating Punctures in US Airways Jets in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C (AP) -- Puncture holes were found in the bellies of two US Airways jets at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, which the FBI said was not likely caused by normal wear and tear.

Officials said the punctures discovered Monday morning during routine visual inspections are similar to damage recently found on another US Airways jet in Florida.

No passengers were in the planes, which were temporarily grounded for repairs.

``There was some damage found on two planes here in Charlotte,'' FBI spokesman David Martinez said Wednesday. ``They were brought through the channels for maintenance and it was brought to our attention. We are now doing interviews.

``We've opened a case, investigating. We're trying to figure if there is a criminal nexis or a terrorism nexis. We've opened the case, and see where it takes us.'' US Airways, Charlotte's dominant carrier, said the planes had punctures about the same size as holes a screwdriver would make. Airline spokesman David Castelveter characterized it as minor exterior damage.

Such puncture holes likely would not endanger a plane or its passengers, aviation security experts said. They also pointed out Monday's grounding of the two planes proves the safety checks in place work: the damaged planes did not fly.

The FBI is ``very aggressively investigating anyone who had access to the planes,'' Kevin Kendrick, FBI special agent in charge for North Carolina said at a news conference Tuesday.

That includes a wide range of people, including baggage handlers, mechanics, pilots and people providing the plane with fuel and food or hauling away its trash.

Kendrick would not describe the nature of the damage, but said it was highly unlikely to have been caused by normal wear and tear.

The two planes found damaged Monday, a Boeing 737 and an Airbus 321, had come from Pensacola, Fla., and Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, the FBI said it was investigating mysterious holes found on a plane that had flown to Orlando, Fla., after laying over in Charlotte.

Kendrick said the FBI has not made a connection between the separate incidents.

The punishment for willfully damaging an aircraft carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine to cover the cost of repairs, Kendrick said.