Watch: Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Performs Fuel Jettison Over Munich After Tail Strike, Runway Overrun
· Free Press Journal

Hanoi: A Vietnam Airlines flight from Munich Airport (MUC) to Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) (HAN) was departing on Saturday, August 15, when the tail of the Boeing 787-9 struck the ground at the end of the runway, causing significant damage to the aircraft, forcing it to turn around, perform fuel jettison and return to the departure airport. According to initial information, the aircraft overran the runway and damaged runway lights in the process.
A video is making rounds on social media; the viral footage shows Vietnam Airlines Flight VN34, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner travelling from Munich Airport to Hanoi, dumping fuel over the Munich area after suffering a tail strike and runway overrun during an unusually late takeoff rotation.
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CLOSE FOOTAGE OF FUEL JETTISONING!
— Ankhon Dekhi News (@AnkhonDekhiX) August 17, 2026
Incredible footage shows a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 jettisoning fuel during flight.#Boeing787 #BreakingNews #AnkhonDekhiNews #VietnamAirlines #fueljettisoning pic.twitter.com/7xcXRJYQDZ
The aircraft, bound for Hanoi, rotated very late, striking its tail on the ground and sending plumes of dust and debris into the air. Shortly after takeoff, the crew received a tyre pressure indication and decided to return to Munich.
The flight made two low approaches before landing with the left main landing gear reportedly trailing smoke after spending two hours performing jettison, according to Simple Flying.
CẬN CẢNH SỰ CỐ MÁY BAY BOEING 787 CỦA VIETNAM AIRLINES TẠI SÂN BAY MUNICH (ĐỨC)#Boeing787#VietnamAirlines#MunichAirport
— MrD (@MrDsaigon) August 17, 2026
Nguồn video: PLM AVIATION pic.twitter.com/fT1asvXLyg
Passengers evacuated using slides
Passengers were evacuated using slides, and the fire brigade was present, according to Flightradar24.
UPDATE: Vietnam Airlines 787-9 finally lands in Munich… but left main gear EXPLODES on touchdown!
— SkyBrief (@SkyDocQuest) August 15, 2026
After the dramatic tailstrike and late rotation on takeoff, VN-A867 (flight VN34) dumped fuel for over 2 hours and returned to Munich.
On landing the left main landing gear… pic.twitter.com/XFwOKEkmcL
The airline has issued a press release on the incident and highlighted that the plane remains on the apron at Munich after the incident. It confirmed that the plane returned to Munich after a "technical issue." All crew followed required procedures and were able to land safely after more than two hours airborne, the airline said.
Vietnam Cargo Ship Sinks In South China Sea: 48 Rescued, Search On For 14 MissingA probe led by Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident is likely to be conducted in regard to the incident.