Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Suffers Tail Strike During Takeoff from Munich
A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 suffered a tail strike during takeoff from Munich Airport on August 15, 2026. The incident occurred on flight VN34, which was headed to Hanoi. The aircraft's tail scraped the runway as it left the ground, causing dust and smoke to appear under the rear fuselage.
The pilots dumped fuel and returned to Munich after the incident. Radar data shows the plane leveled off at 9,000 feet before circling back to the airport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft repeatedly overfly the area, which is consistent with a fuel-dumping procedure.
Upon landing on runway 26R, the aircraft's left main landing gear showed significant damage, including shredded tires and debris scattered across the runway surface. Fortunately, all passengers disembarked safely without injuries.