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| Date: | Monday 18 July 2022 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Boeing 747SP-21 |
| Owner/operator: | NASA |
| Registration: | N747NA |
| MSN: | 21441/306 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Category: | Other |
| Location: | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | - |
| Departure airport: | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
The Boeing 747SP-21 "SOFIA" was damaged in a thunderstorm at Christchurch International Airport on July 18th 2022. During the severe weather event, high winds caused the stairs outside the aircraft to shift, causing light damage to the front of the aircraft, as well as the stairs themselves. There were no injuries to any staff. The aircraft returned to in-flight service on August 3rd.
Sources:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/sofia/2022/07/19/sofia-down-for-maintenance-in-christchurch/
https://www.space.com/sofia-flying-telescope-damaged-in-storm
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-Aug-2022 05:40 | nhofmann54 | Added |
| 27-May-2023 01:50 | Ron Averes | Updated |
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