The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has concluded that the Boeing 787 of Vietnam Airlines involved in an incident during the takeoff maneuver at Munich airport last Saturday experienced technical problems.
According to a report from the agency, based on the testimony of the pilots, the crew detected anomalies in acceleration when the plane was already taxiing on the runway, approximately halfway through, upon noticing that the aircraft was unable to gain speed for about two seconds.
Moments later, the aircraft managed to accelerate initially to reach the critical speed necessary for takeoff, but then that speed began to decrease. Once in the air, the aircraft's system emitted alert messages indicating that the tail had struck the runway and that four of the eight tires were losing pressure, as reported by "DPA".
A first subsequent inspection confirmed that the tires —three on the left side of the landing gear and one on the right— had burst. The crew then informed air traffic control and opted to return to Munich airport to subject the aircraft to a technical review.
Before the landing, the Boeing proceeded to release fuel in order to reduce its weight and ensure a safe landing, according to the report. Additionally, it made two low passes over the airfield so that the controllers could visually observe the condition of the landing gear. Not noticing any irregularities, the commander completed the landing.
The remnants of the tires scattered on the runway forced it to be temporarily closed, which required the diversion of takeoff and landing operations to another runway at the Munich airport.
The Ministry of Construction of Vietnam has ordered this Monday the country's aviation regulatory authority and Vietnam Airlines to urgently cooperate with the German authorities in the investigation of what happened.