What happened
Following the arrival of flight KL702 from Santiago de Chile (SCEL) at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (SAEZ) on July 21, 2024, ground crews performed a standard exterior inspection of the aircraft. During this visual check, maintenance personnel identified a small puncture on the fuselage of the Boeing 787-9, registration PH-BHA.
Upon discovering the damage, the maintenance team consulted with the airline's operations base. As a precautionary measure, the decision was made to cancel the aircraft's next scheduled flight to ensure safety and allow for proper assessment.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the damage during the post-flight inspection. The inspection was part of routine procedures for the Boeing 787-9 operated by KLM. No other structural or mechanical damages were identified on the aircraft during the same inspection period.
Findings
- The damage was characterized as minor, consisting specifically of a small perforation.
- The discovery was made during a routine visual inspection on the apron.
- There were no injuries to the crew or passengers, and no further damage to the airframe was noted.