NASA’s Boeing 747SP (SOFIA) was damaged in New Zealand

last Boeing 747SP N747NA is currently in registration process Pot Modified to carry the Telescope for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), it was damaged in New Zealand last week and is on its last mission before retirement.

According to available information, the aircraft was damaged during a storm in the area around Christchurch International Airport (CHC) on Monday 18 July. Apparently it was very severe weather and strong winds blew the ladders around the plane and hit it, causing some damage to the front of the plane and the ladders.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, and NASA waited to assess the damage to the aircraft and obtain new stairs. The Sofia team determined that repairs were needed and that these would take approximately 3 weeks, so a tweet announced the cancellation of the remainder of the mission to the south of the planet:

Sofia canceled the remainder of her deployment to New Zealand following severe weather on 18 July. We have had a very productive month of science since arriving in NZ and once the repairs are complete we will resume flights home.”

SOFIA cancels remaining deployment to New Zealand following damage caused by severe weather on 18 July. We have had a month of science and exposure since arriving in NZ and will start flights at home once the repairs are complete. Further: https://t.co/QA11QvUlfa

— SOFIAtelescope (@SOFIAtelescope) July 21, 2022

The aircraft is expected to return to its base in Palmdale, California, where surveillance flights will resume before the aircraft is retired a few months later this year.

team during their flights in New Zealand Sofia And NASA observed and studied a wide range of celestial objects and phenomena, such as cosmic magnetic fields, the structure of the Milky Way, and the origin of cosmic rays. The group also participated in other events and shared information with students, youth groups, museum visitors and members of the aerospace industry.

Photo: Kevin Hackert