A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 encountered a potentially hazardous situation during its attempted take-off from Munich Airport on Saturday, August 15. The aircraft, which was carrying 271 passengers and 16 crew members, reportedly veered off the runway and struck the ground with its tail as it attempted to become airborne.
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The flight, which was scheduled to depart Munich at 1:35 p.m. local time for Hanoi, Vietnam, experienced difficulties as it accelerated down the runway. Witness reports and flight tracking data indicated that the jet briefly lost speed before regaining momentum. However, by the time the pilots realised the thrust was declining once again, it was too late to safely abort the take-off.
Video footage of the incident suggests the aircraft veered off the runway, billowing dust as it careened towards nearby trees. Fortunately, the pilots were able to lift the plane into the air. The crew then proceeded to circle the area for approximately two hours to burn off excess fuel, thereby reducing the aircraft’s weight to allow for a safer landing.
During this time, the crew conducted several low passes over the airport to allow ground personnel to assess the condition of the landing gear. An early assessment of the aircraft indicated that although the main landing gear suffered significant damage and four tyres burst upon landing, all aboard the flight remained unharmed.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam have revealed additional concerns, noting multiple scratches on the underside of the rear fuselage, alongside minor damage to the aircraft’s outer skin. German authorities are also conducting an appraisal of the incident, focusing on the actions of the flight’s three captains and a first officer, alongside an analysis of the technical aspects of the aircraft’s performance.
Vietnam Airlines confirmed in a statement, cited by Reuters, that a “technical issue” necessitated the flight’s return to Munich. The airline reported that the crew adhered to all necessary protocols, ultimately leading to a safe landing. However, specific details regarding the nature of the technical malfunction were not disclosed.
In the aftermath of the incident, Munich Airport announced that the affected runway would be temporarily closed as the aircraft was unable to taxi under its own power. This closure has caused a reallocation of airport traffic until the situation could be adequately managed.
Concerned about the implications of this incident, the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has urged both the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines to collaborate with German authorities in order to thoroughly investigate the cause of the mishap. This investigation aims not only to ascertain the factors leading to the incident but also to develop strategies to prevent similar events in the future.
Authorities from both Vietnam and Germany are now working closely together as part of the investigation, with updates anticipated as more information becomes available. As of now, neither Vietnam Airlines nor Munich Airport had responded to inquiries from the media regarding the outcomes of these initial assessments.
The safe handling of this situation, amidst a sequence of critical events, showcases the professionalism of the flight crew and the importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation. Passengers on board were undoubtedly relieved to be safe and sound upon the flight’s eventual landing.