Vandalism On Lower Fuselages Has An "Arabic" Appearance

Federal authorities are working with Southwest Airlines to determine how some of the carrier's 737s were vandalized over the past several months. The planes were marked with a chemical that does not appear until the airplane's APUs are activated, heating the skin of the airplane.

File Photo

The writings have been described by some as either Arabic, or Arabic-style symbols, according to a report from KNX Radio in Los Angeles. The airline has instructed its employees not to discuss the matter with the media.

The airline officially calls the incidents "vandalism," but will not specify how many airplanes or people are involved. TSA and the FBI are both working with the airline on the matter. Television station KCAL indicates in a video report that Southwest says the markings have been appearing on its airplanes for about eight months. It says aircraft movements are being closely monitored, and that any employee with any knowledge of the incidents is being asked to come forward.

What is clear is that a person or persons with some knowledge of how a 737 is put together has been able to get access to the jets, mark them with a chemical, and get away apparently without being noticed.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.fbi.gov, www.southwest.com