Vietnam Airlines has grounded a Boeing 787-9 after flight VN34 from Munich to Hanoi suffered a tail strike during takeoff at Munich Airport on Saturday. The aircraft, registration VN-A867, later returned to Munich after the crew received technical warnings, including indications of low tyre pressure, and landed safely with no injuries reported among passengers or crew.
The aircraft appears to have used almost the full runway before lift-off, and post-landing images suggested damage to the tail section and tyres. The crew followed standard procedures and burned off fuel while holding near Munich for about two hours before the return landing. Vietnamese aviation authorities later confirmed warnings of a tail strike after departure, while reliable reports also indicated possible damage to runway lighting or edge fixtures during the takeoff roll.
The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined, and the scope of repairs and expected downtime remain unclear. Publicly available information points to substantial damage, but investigators have not released a formal finding on whether crew handling, aircraft performance or another factor led to the late rotation and runway excursion.