B747-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter FOD
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
On departure; [we] heard a thump as we were rotating. Assumed it was just hitting a runway centerline light. In cruise; the Lead Flight Attendant came to the cockpit and told us the passenger had observed rubber flying by his window on takeoff. All our indications were normal; no hydraulic or fuel leaks. Landing was normal. After parking at gate; Mechanic got on the flight interphone and reported to me that a tire was blown and there was damage to the underside of the wing. I went down to observe damage and noted the tire tread was totally missing and there were several rubber streaks and punctures in the underside of the wing and one trailing edge flap.
Reporter stated they were flying a B747-400 aircraft out of an international airport. Although they did hear a 'thump' on rotation; they did not see any indication in the flight deck of an aircraft issue. In fact; they didn't even know about a possible tire problem until three hours into the flight when their Lead Flight Attendant informed them that a passenger had seen pieces of rubber fly past his window.Reporter stated they had a normal landing; but Maintenance did find the right main wing landing gear was missing the tread cap on a main tire; a large gash in the inboard flap; [lower] surface and punctures in the lower wing panels. Maintenance also showed her where an anti-skid box on the same gear was badly damaged; but there were no anti-skid indication issues noted during flight or on landing.Reporter stated the departing airport's Control Tower had not communicated any tire issue during takeoff; mostly because the right wing gear was on the opposite side of the aircraft from the Tower's view.
A pilot reports hearing a 'thump' during departure rotation of their B747-400 aircraft. Passenger later notified Flight Attendant about seeing rubber flying past their window. All cockpit indications were normal. After arrival; Mechanic finds the right main wing landing gear; main tire tread cap was missing; inboard flap had large gash; with rubber marks and punctures in the lower wing.