Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Suffers Substantial Damage in Munich Takeoff Incident

## Vietnam Airlines Flight VN34 Struck The Ground At Takeoff A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration VN-A867, suffered substantial damage after its tail struck the ground during takeoff from Munich Airport on August 15, 2026. The incident occurred when the aircraft overran the end of the runway, causing damage to the runway lights and the plane's tail. According to preliminary information, the plane was departing from Runway 26L when it rotated very late, striking its tail on the ground and kicking up plumes of dust and debris. The crew reported a tire pressure indication shortly after getting airborne and opted to return to Munich. After spending two hours dumping fuel, the flight performed two low approaches before landing with the left main gear reportedly trailing smoke. The aircraft was forced to return to Munich Airport, where it landed safely after more than two hours airborne. ## Crew And Passengers Were Unharmed Fortunately, 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. 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. The carrier confirmed that the plane returned to Munich after a technical issue and stated that all crew followed required procedures and were able to land safely. The airline will provide further updates as soon as the inspection results and specific operational plans are available. ## Investigation Probing Reasons For Late Rotation Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) is expected to lead the investigation into the incident. The investigation will likely look at the possibility of incorrect data or configuration for takeoff entered into the flight deck computer, which could explain why the pilots had such a difficult time getting the plane off the ground. However, the investigation is in its preliminary stages, so nothing is being ruled out. The aircraft, a ten-year-old 787-9, is configured to carry a total of 274 passengers in a three-class configuration. It remains unclear when the plane will re-enter service. The incident highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight checks and adherence to standard operating procedures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. ## Vietnam Airlines Fleet Details Vietnam Airlines operates around 90 aircraft, including 31 widebody aircraft made up of the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787-10 and 787-9. The airline has extensive networks domestically, with a growing international presence. The airline operates long-haul international services to Europe from both its hubs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi.