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Munich 787 Takeoff Incident Prompts Boeing 787 Safety Scrutiny

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 6:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Vietnam Airlines Botched Takeoff

Vietnam Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 struck runway equipment during a botched takeoff at Munich Airport.
Flight data recorded left-brake at 27 % and right-brake at 17 % while the jet rotated at 163 knots, 12 knots below Vr.
Contact destroyed 20 lighting lamps and damaged four left-main tires.
All 287 occupants were unharmed after the aircraft dumped 62 tonnes of fuel and landed safely.
German investigators seized brake components to probe pilot or technical causes.

Summary

Analysts Cite 787 Anomalies

Analysts compare the incident to Air India Flight AI171, a 787 that crashed after power loss on takeoff.
Analysts also note similarity to a recent Amazon Air 787 event where poor airmanship caused a near-miss.
Aviation safety experts warn the cluster of 787 takeoff anomalies could potentially trigger broader fleet-wide reviews.

History

Historical Context

After two lithium-ion battery fires in January 2013, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive that grounded all 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including those of ANA and JAL. The grounding cost ANA roughly 9 billion yen and halted deliveries until a redesigned battery was approved in April 2013. Today, incidents involving Vietnam Airlines, Air India and Amazon Air revive those safety concerns.

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Vietnam Airlines Botched Takeoff

Vietnam Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 struck runway equipment during a botched takeoff at Munich Airport.
Flight data recorded left-brake at 27 % and right-brake at 17 % while the jet rotated at 163 knots, 12 knots below Vr.
Contact destroyed 20 lighting lamps and damaged four left-main tires.
All 287 occupants were unharmed after the aircraft dumped 62 tonnes of fuel and landed safely.
German investigators seized brake components to probe pilot or technical causes.

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