Cracks in Qantas 787 Dreamliner found after tyre’s tread propelled into wing

A Qantas 787 Dreamliner has suffered cracks in panelling and a flap after tread from a wheel was propelled at high speed into one of its wings during take-off from Rome’s busiest airport. Photos of the damaged aircraft show cracks in part of the wing, as well as extensive scuff marks from the wheel’s tread hitting it. The damage has forced Qantas to temporarily remove the long-haul aircraft from service while inspections and repairs are undertaken. The incident occurred during take-off from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport on Friday as the aircraft was en route to Perth on a 16-hour flight. Qantas Flight QF6 was carrying 195 passengers. Qantas confirmed that tread separated from one of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s tyres during take-off in Rome, damaging the lower right wing of the aircraft. Pilots and the rest of the crew were unaware of the damage to the aircraft during the flight. It was discovered when engineers conducted a walk-around of the plane when it arrived in Perth on Saturday. Cracks were found across two panels and a wing flap. An onward flight by the Boeing 787 to Sydney on Saturday was cancelled, and passengers were put on other services. A return flight the aircraft was due to make from Melbourne to Los Angeles on Tuesday has also been cancelled.<br/>