Vietnam B789 at Munich on Aug 15th 2026, late rotation, tailstrike, runway overrun, tyre damage

Last Update: August 18, 2026 / 19:21:28 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Vietnam Airlines VN-A867, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — Vietnam Airlines VN-A867, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (Photo credit: markyharky / Flickr / License: CC by)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 15, 2026

Classification
Accident

Airline
Vietnam Airlines

Flight number
VN-34

Departure
Munich, Germany

Destination
Hanoi, Vietnam

Aircraft Registration
VN-A867

Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

ICAO Type Designator
B789

Airport
Munich International Airport, Munich

Airport ICAO Code
EDDM

A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration VN-A867 performing flight VN-34 from Munich (Germany) to Hanoi (Vietnam) with 271 passengers and 16 crew, was departing Munich's runway 26L when huge clouds of dust and dirt rose when the aircraft rotated very late and became airborne, the tail struck the ground. The aircraft climbed to FL100, the crew reported they had a tyre pressure indication and would need to dump fuel. About 90 minutes after departure the aircraft performed a low approach to runway 26R followed by another low approach to runway 26R, the aircraft subsequently landed on runway 26R, the left main gear trailing smoke and became disabled on the runway. Runway 26R is currently closed.

According to preliminary information the aircraft overran the end of the runway and damaged runway lights.

According to photographic evidence available to the AVH (but not permitted to be released to the public) the aircraft became airborne about 120 meters/400 feet past the runway end, already in the grass and at about the first row of approach lights.

On Aug 16th 2026 the AVH got to see video evidence (but is not permitted to release the video to the public), that suggests the right hand main gear brakes activated about 210 meters ahead of the runway end, the wheels blocked at and after crossing the runway end, the track ended when the aircraft became airborne. The video does not permit to see enough of the left hand side of the runway to judge, whether the left hand brakes came on or blocked, too.

An Aerial photo (see below) received on Aug 17th 2026 shows, that both left and right hand brakes were active before reaching the end of the runway, the left hand track faded after crossing the runway end.

On Aug 17th 2026 Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority submitted a report to the Ministry stating that after takeoff the crew received warning indications of a tail strike and tyre pressure warnings. The crew returned to Munich for a technical inspection. The passengers were provided with alternative travel options. Germany's BFU is going to investigate the occurrence.

On Aug 18th 2026 Germany's BFU reported in a first statement, that they are investigating the occurrence. The aircraft departed runway 26L, rotated very late, the tail contacted the ground during rotation. Tyre tracks were identified at the end of the runway that were attributed to the aircraft. The aircraft landed on runway 26R. The flight data and cockpit voice recorder are to be downloaded and analysed by the BFU and will take some more time.

Editorial Note: The accident is being investigated by Germany's BFU. According to ICAO rules only the investigation leader is permitted to release statements about the occurrence and its investigation, nobody else (including Vietnam's CAA) is permitted to issue statements. Vietnamese media reports claiming first information - including crew testimonies - from Vietnam's CAA therefore have no relevance and no credibility.

Related NOTAM:
A4185/26 NOTAMN
Q) EDMM/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A /000/999/4821N01147E005
A) EDDM B) 2608151404 C) 2608151800EST
E) RWY 08L/26R CLSD.

Metars:
EDDM 151320Z AUTO VRB04KT CAVOK 34/06 Q1015 TEMPO 35005KT=
EDDM 151250Z AUTO VRB03KT CAVOK 34/06 Q1015 TEMPO 35005KT=
EDDM 151220Z AUTO 02005KT 320V070 CAVOK 34/05 Q1015 NOSIG=
EDDM 151150Z AUTO VRB03KT CAVOK 33/06 Q1016 TEMPO 35005KT=
EDDM 151120Z AUTO VRB04KT CAVOK 32/07 Q1016 TEMPO 35005KT=
EDDM 151050Z AUTO 06003KT CAVOK 32/09 Q1016 TEMPO 35005KT=
EDDM 151020Z AUTO 04004KT 350V130 CAVOK 31/10 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDM 150950Z AUTO VRB04KT CAVOK 31/10 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDM 150920Z AUTO VRB03KT CAVOK 30/11 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDM 150850Z AUTO 16001KT CAVOK 28/11 Q1016 NOSIG=