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A Vietnam Airlines flight from Munich Airport (MUC) to Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) (HAN) was departing on Saturday, August 15, when the tail of the Boeing 787-9 struck the runway. This caused substantial damage to the aircraft and forced the plane to turn around, dump fuel, and return to the departure airport. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft overran the runway and damaged runway lights in the process.
Flight VN34 was bound for the Vietnamese capital when it rotated very late, striking its tail on the ground and kicking up plumes of dust and debris. The pilots turned back out of an abundance of caution, and 90 minutes after departure, the flight performed a low approach before landing with the left main gear trailing smoke.
Vietnam Airlines Flight VN34 Struck The Ground
According to Aviation Herald, the aircraft was VN-A867 and the Dreamliner was departing from Bavaria on Runway 26L. Preliminary information indicates that the plane overran the end of the runway, with a large cloud of dust and dirt rising around it as it rotated late.
Following the strike, the plane climbed to around FL100, where crew checks identified a tire pressure issue and prompted a return to Munich. After dumping fuel and circling the airport, the 787 made its landing attempt roughly 90 minutes later, performing two low approaches to runway 26R before touching down. The landing disabled the runway, which was then closed.
According to aviation insider Fahad Naim on X, the entire tail strike module has been damaged, with a clear puncture through the lower fuselage. The strike tore the aircraft’s composite skin and left heavy scrape marks along the aft fuselage. Initial evidence suggests the aircraft rotated aggressively, and it is likely to be out of service for several months.
Vietnam Airlines has already issued a press release on the incident and outlined that the plane remains on the apron at Munich following the incident. It confirmed that the plane returned to Munich after a technical issue. All crew followed required procedures and were able to land safely after the 90-minute hold.
All passengers and crew were disembarked from the plane once back in Munich, and no one was injured following the incident. The carrier is now accommodating passengers for onward travel, and the airline is coordinating with relevant authorities to inspect the aircraft. The carrier noted that further updates will be released after the inspection is complete and other operational plans are confirmed.
Vietnam Airlines was quick to put out a statement, saying the flight returned to Munich after takeoff “due to a technical issue.” The carrier stated:
Vietnam Airlines announces that flight VN34 from Munich (Germany) to Hanoi on August 15 returned to its departure airport after take-off due to a technical issue… The airline will provide further updates as soon as the inspection results and specific operational plans are available.
The incident occurred when the aircraft was performing a go-around.
The flag carrier of the Asian country of Vietnam, the SkyTeam carrier operates around 90 aircraft. The airline has extensive networks domestically, with a growing international presence. The airline operates a total of 31 widebody aircraft made up of the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787-10 and 787-9, as detailed below as per ch-aviation:
The airline operates long-haul international services to Europe from both its hubs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) (SGN) and Hanoi. From Hanoi, its nonstop links to Europe include Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt Airport (FRA), London Heathrow (LHR), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), Munich, and Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG).
VN-A867, the aircraft involved in the incident, is a ten-year-old 787-9, which first entered service for VN on April 23, 2016. It is configured to carry a total of 274 passengers in a three-class configuration. It remains unclear when the plane will re-enter service.
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