2 U.S. airliners missing same landing gear part after landing in Japan

Ok, now I sincerely hope that the people complaining about stuff falling off of helicopters put the same amount of energy into DEMANDING that UA and AA ground all their flights! For the safety of the children of course!

Punish the flight-company and ban all their flights above Japan unless they offer sincere apologies and some gifts.

On the other note, please do not write up articles about falling stuff. It will not change, it was falling it will be falling, alas. If something happens, for example actual ban on flights, then it is news. But this is a usual case.

This can be very dangerous. A strip of metal that fell of a Continental airliner caused the Concorde's only fatal accident, killing all aboard.

The 777 should be retired. An airline in Canada flies them from Canada to the UK and the flights are often delayed while they are out scrounging for parts. They bought them used. Not much of a bargain after all.

The spring is more then likely from the main landing gear drag brace area. The gear typically use a heavy duty spring to have the drag link lock into a positive locked position. Use on several other models of aircraft.

This is a bit like the Ferrari engine that failed last year in F1 due to $10 spark plug!

Osaka_Doug... you are correct! Gomen...

Of course it's UNSAFE ! THose parts are not there for fun or display !

UNited Airlines continues to receive obnoxious publicity especially with their disregard for passengers I would NEVER fly with them !

The airlines are responsible for servicing and maintaining their aircraft fleet.  They often subcontract (for cost saving reasons) to outside companies.  All these incidents reflects sloppy maintenance practices, which reflects improperly trained and certified technicians.

Properly serviced and maintained, these aircrafts can continue to fly safely and reliably for decades.