Qantas 787 damaged during takeoff from Rome Airport

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNC (MSN 39040)

Qantas Airways flight QF6 travelling from Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF) to Perth International Airport (PER/YPPH) was damaged during takeoff from Rome. The tread from one of the tyres disintegrated during the high speed takeoff. 

Qantas flight QF6, had a scheduled departure of 12 midday, but due to delays took off from Rome at 4.23 pm, Rome time. After being airborne for 15 hours and 22 minutes and covering 13,354 KM of distance it landed in Perth at 1.45 pm Perth time.

With speculations flying around, Qantas responded with the correct information and here’s their response. 

During takeoff in Rome, the tread separated from one of our Dreamliner’s tyres damaging the lower right wing of the aircraft.

The tyre remained inflated, and the flight operated as normal with no impact on systems or safety. Pilots, crew, and passengers were unaware of the incident.

The aircraft landed in Perth normally, and the damage was identified by engineers conducting their walk-around on arrival.

The aircraft will be ferried to Sydney or Melbourne for further inspection and repairs before returning to service. 

The onward Perth to Sydney sector was canceled and passengers were reaccommodated on other services within 4 hours. 

A Qantas spokesperson added:

We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience and thank them for their understanding.
Following the incident, the airline could not continue its second leg of the flight to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).

The incident occurred on Saturday the 24th of August 2024.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas Airways

Code: QF/QFA

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Registration: VH-ZNC 

Serial Number: 39040

Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B

First Flew: 12th January 2018

Age: 6 .7 Years Old