Vietnam Airlines 787 suffers major damage after late takeoff from Munich

Dhaka: A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner sustained severe damage while departing Munich Airport for Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport on August 15, forcing the aircraft to dump fuel and return to its point of origin.

Video footage circulating on the internet shows the flight, VN34, rotated unusually late from Runway 26L, and the tail made contact with the ground as the jet became airborne, kicking up a large cloud of dust and debris around the aircraft.

Preliminary reports as published by the Aviation Herald suggest that the plane overran the runway during the rotation, damaging runway lighting in the process.

The aircraft, registered VN-A867, then climbed to roughly FL100 before the crew identified a tire pressure abnormality and elected to divert back to Munich as a precaution.

After circling for around 90 minutes and dumping fuel to reach a safe landing weight, the Dreamliner carried out two low approaches over Runway 26R before touching down, with visible smoke trailing from the left main landing gear.

The runway was subsequently closed for inspection following the landing.

According to one account shared on social media, the tail strike module suffered significant damage, including a puncture through the lower fuselage and heavy scraping along the aft composite structure. Early assessments suggest the aircraft may remain grounded for several months for repairs.

Vietnam Airlines confirmed in a statement that the aircraft returned to Munich due to a technical issue and remains parked on the apron at the airport.

The carrier said its crew followed standard procedures throughout the event and that the aircraft landed safely after the extended holding period. All passengers and crew disembarked without injury once the plane returned to the gate in Munich.

The airline is now working to reaccommodate affected passengers on alternative flights and is coordinating with relevant authorities on a full inspection of the aircraft.

Further details would be shared once the inspection concludes and operational arrangements are finalized, it added.