Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Overruns Munich Runway During Takeoff, Suffers Tail Strike

A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner narrowly avoided a serious accident at Munich Airport after the aircraft failed to lift off before the end of the runway, plowing through roughly 120 meters of ground beyond the paved surface during takeoff, then suffered a second runway excursion nearly two hours later when it circled back and landed at the same airport.

The incident happened on Flight VN34, a scheduled service from Munich to Hanoi, according to reports from Aviation Herald, Simple Flying, and other outlets. The Boeing 787-9, registered VN-A867 and about 10 years old, suffered a tail strike as the pilots pulled back hard on the controls in a last effort to get airborne from runway 26L on Saturday, August 15.

Despite the rough departure, the crew did not continue on to Vietnam. The aircraft climbed to around 10,000 feet, where the crew identified a tire pressure issue, and the flight returned to Munich roughly 90 minutes to two hours later, landing back on runway 26R. No passengers or crew were reported injured.

What happened on the runway
 

The Dreamliner rotated very late during its takeoff roll, kicking up a large cloud of dust and debris. The tail scraped the runway surface as the nose lifted, a clear sign the jet ran out of usable runway before reaching flying speed.

The plane then traveled roughly 120 meters past the end of the paved runway, becoming airborne only after it was already over the grass near the approach lights. Ground inspections reportedly found damage to runway lights at the departure end, suggesting the aircraft made contact with airport infrastructure as it struggled to climb.

The flight returned to Munich

In a decision reflecting the severity of the damage, the crew did not continue to Hanoi after the tail strike. Instead, after detecting a tire pressure indication once airborne, the Boeing 787 dumped fuel while circling in the Munich area for roughly 90 minutes to two hours before attempting to land back where it had departed.

The return landing did not go smoothly either: the aircraft made two low approaches over runway 26R before touching down, with tires reportedly shredding and smoke seen trailing from the left main landing gear. The aircraft became disabled on the runway afterward, forcing its temporary closure and disrupting other traffic.

Tail strikes can cause structural damage to the rear pressure bulkhead and aft fuselage. Reports indicate the aircraft sustained a punctured fuselage and torn composite panels, damage serious enough that repairs could take months. Airlines typically ground aircraft immediately after a suspected tail strike for inspection, and Vietnam Airlines confirmed it is coordinating with authorities to inspect the aircraft, which remains grounded.

Possible causes under review

Investigators will likely focus on factors that commonly lead to runway overruns and tail strikes, including incorrect performance calculations, wrong weight and balance data entered into the flight management computer, improper flap settings, and errors in the takeoff speeds used by the crew.

A Boeing 787-9 fully loaded for a long-haul flight to Hanoi would be near its maximum takeoff weight, leaving little margin for error in performance planning. Even a small mistake in entered weight or the selected thrust setting can significantly change how much runway the aircraft needs.

Munich Airport's runway 26L measures roughly 4,000 meters in length, generally more than sufficient for a 787 departure under normal conditions.

Regulators expected to investigate

Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, known as the BFU, typically leads inquiries into incidents on German soil. As of the latest reports, it remains unconfirmed whether the BFU has formally opened an investigation. Vietnamese aviation authorities and Boeing would likely take part in any formal inquiry as well.

Vietnam Airlines has confirmed the incident and said passengers and cabin crew are safe, though it has not released a detailed public statement on the full sequence of events. The carrier operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners on long-haul routes connecting Vietnam to Europe and other destinations.

Passengers on board reportedly experienced an unusually long and tense flight, as the aircraft circled for roughly two hours dumping fuel before its return to Munich.