SIA Cargo B747-400F suffers puncture damage near undercarriage

A Singapore Airlines freighter has completed repairs in Brussels after punctures were discovered near the aircraft’s undercarriage.

SIA said the Boeing 747-400 freighter, registered 9V-SFO, had operated flight SQ7951 from Dallas to Brussels on February 26, and was “found to have some damage on its body” during a post-flight inspection.

Images posted on The Aviation Herald site suggest that stones were thrown upwards towards the undercarriage by the aircraft wheels. In one photo posted on the site, a rock is seen stuck in one of the holes.

SIA did not comment on what could have caused the punctures, except to say that investigations are underway to determine the cause.

The carrier added that prior to departing from Dallas, the flight crew conducted the mandated walkaround visual checks.

Since the incident, the aircraft has already been repaired, and will depart Brussels for Sharjah later today.

SIA took delivery of the PW4000-powered jet in 2004, stated Cirium fleets data.

It has also suffered two prior incidents: in 2006, the freighter collided with another aircraft at Brussels and was withdrawn from service for about five days.

In 2019, the aircraft was involved in an engine ground strike while performing a go-around at Auckland airport.