Federal authorities are investigating why a canoe-shaped part from a cargo jet dropped into a mall parking lot just before the plane landed at Miami International Airport on Friday morning.
Although no one was hurt, the incident had the potential to be deadly, authorities said.
"We'll look into every aspect of this situation to determine why it happened," Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. "We'll examine the part, the aircraft and its maintenance records."
Bergen said FAA inspectors determined the fiberglass part, weighing about 150 pounds, came from the flap assembly of an Atlas Air Boeing 747. Flaps are a part of the wing that help a plane slow down when extended.
Although parts rarely fall off large aircraft, it still occurs about twice a year in the United States, said Robert Breiling, a Boca Raton-based aviation accident analyst.
"Usually, it happens because a pilot or mechanic didn't do the preflight inspection properly," he said.
Atlas Air, one of the world's largest air freight companies, issued a statement on its website, saying it is cooperating with authorities.
"Atlas is grateful that no one was injured and is investigating the matter further," said the statement from the company, which is based in Purchase, N.Y.
According to federal records, the plane was a 20-year-old Boeing 747-481.
150-pound part falls from cargo jet into parking lot of Miami International Mall - OrlandoSentinel.com