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Investigators found brakes activated in Vietnam Airlines Munich incident
September 29th 2026
A Vietnam Airlines 787-9 which experienced a tailstrike and overran the runway while departing from Munich in August this year had its brakes activated during the takeoff roll, investigators have found. Read More » The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation’s interim report into the 15 August 2026 incident involving flight VN34, operated by 787-9 registration VN-A867, said the brakes on the left-hand, or captain’s, seat were repeatedly activated during the takeoff roll. Investigators found tyre tracks of the wheels of the aircraft’s two main landing gears near a taxiway intersection with Runway 08R. "Braking activity via the brake pedals and the brakes were recorded during the take-off run," the report said. The aircraft took off from the grass area beyond the threshold of the runway. "During rotation, the aircraft’s fuselage was substantially damaged when the tail section contacted the ground and lamps of the runway lighting," the report said. The pilots declared an emergency and dumped fuel before returning to Munich. The aircraft, which was carrying 271 passengers and 16 crew, suffered tyre damage upon landing. The investigation is continuing.
