Vietnam Airlines has withdrawn a Boeing 787-9 from its Munich-to-Hanoi service after the aircraft rotated very late on departure from Munich Airport and returned following a prolonged holding period. The aircraft, registered VN-A867 and operating flight VN34, landed back in Munich safely after what reports described as a suspected runway overrun and tail strike that may have caused substantial damage.
The crew held the long-haul jet for roughly 90 minutes to two hours to burn fuel and carry out visual checks before bringing it back to Munich. Reports from specialist aviation outlets and mainstream media indicated tyre damage and possible impact to the tail section, while some accounts also referred to damage to runway lights near the end of the takeoff run. The aircraft was later left on the apron or taxiway for inspection, and the north runway was reported closed in some accounts.
The incident has drawn attention because it involved a widebody long-haul aircraft operating a scheduled intercontinental service, with disruption extending beyond the flight itself. No injuries were reported, but the event is likely to prompt a structural inspection and a formal review of takeoff performance, runway excursion risk and post-incident procedures.