Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Returns to Munich Airport After Technical Incident
Incident Overview and Response
Flight Details and Initial Incident
Aug 15 (Reuters) - A Vietnam Airlines flight bound for Hanoi returned to Munich Airport on Saturday following technical problems after takeoff, the airline and airport said.
The Boeing 787 plane circled for more than two hours to burn fuel after reportedly overrunning the runway during takeoff, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
Eyewitness Accounts and Media Coverage
Video aired by U.S.-based ABC News showed the jet taking off with a large cloud of dust trailing behind it.
Official Statements and Actions Taken
Vietnam Airlines Statement
Vietnam Airlines said in a statement the flight had returned to its departure airport after takeoff due to a "technical issue". It did not provide further details about the problem.
Munich Airport Statement
Munich Airport said after landing, the plane was unable to taxi off the north runway under its own power and remained stranded.
Impact on Airport Operations
That forced the closure of the north runway and a rerouting of air traffic via the south runway, the airport said in a statement.
Safety and Ongoing Investigation
Passenger and Crew Safety
Vietnam Airlines said the flight crew had followed all required procedures and landed safely at Munich Airport. "The passengers and cabin crew members are safe," the airline said. Vietnam Airlines said it was coordinating with the relevant authorities and parties to inspect the aircraft and it would provide further updates as soon as the inspection results and specific operational plans were available.
(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed)
