We had an SQ 744 come in from SIN after suffering a main gear (centre port bogey) tyre failure. Debris had punched a hole in the wing root fairing about 3 by 5 feet in size just aft of the training edge, and also left a fair sized dent in the fuel tank. There were black marks along the fuselage as high as the windows, presumably from tyre debris. Cabin crew reported higher than normal cabin noise during the flight.
This flight crew were also notified about 20-30 minutes after departure by the tower, but they could not confirm the debris found on the runway at SIN was actually theirs. They elected to press on, but were shocked at the amount of damage when they saw it.
I can understand the decision to carry on, as any problem would supposedly occur during landing, regardless of where they choose to put down, but having seen the damage to this aircraft, I wonder if some crews ever consider a fuel dump and RTB.
Always amazed at how tough these birds really are.
Last edited by Tony_EM; 24th October 2002 at 18:12.