Vietnam Airlines Runway Overrun: Boeing 787 Makes Emergency Munich Return
Dreamliner carrying 287 people overruns runway during late rotation, striking its tail and damaging landing gear before making an emergency landing
Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 grounded following runway overrun in Munich
MUNICH, August 18, 2026: Passengers aboard a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 experienced a terrifying departure after a dramatic Vietnam Airlines runway overrun incident at Munich Airport on Saturday.
Flight VN34 was departing for Hanoi at approximately 1:45 PM local time when the aircraft rotated extremely late, overrunning the paved runway and lifting off approximately 120 meters beyond the threshold over grass and approach lights.
Cabin footage and eyewitness reports show the aircraft accelerating past the runway end, kicking up clouds of dust and debris before striking its tail on the ground.
Details of the Vietnam Airlines Runway Overrun Incident
The aircraft (registration VN-A867) was carrying 271 passengers and 16 crew members. Investigators from Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) are examining data suggesting the plane’s right main-wheel brakes or incorrect takeoff data parameters may have contributed to the delayed rotation.
Immediately after airborne rotation, cockpit indications alerted the pilots to a tail-strike warning and low tire pressure. Because the long-haul flight was fully fueled for Hanoi, the crew began a fuel-dumping procedure over Bavaria, circling for nearly two hours to reach a safe landing weight.
Emergency Landing and Runway Closure
Prior to touchdown, the Boeing 787 executed low passes over Munich Airport so ground teams could inspect the landing gear. Passengers were instructed to adopt the brace position before the plane touched down on the northern runway.
Upon landing, several main landing gear tires blew out, disabling the plane on the runway and requiring it to be towed away. No injuries were reported among the 287 passengers and crew members.
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The Vietnam Airlines runway overrun caused significant structural damage to the aircraft’s composite tail section and forced the temporary closure of Munich Airport’s northern runway for several hours. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the incident.
