Four pilots have been suspended after a Boeing 787 sliced through an Airbus A321’s tail in a shocking runway collision at Vietnam’s busiest airport that experts are calling a Level B safety breach, the second highest severity possible.
Key Takeaways
- A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collided with a parked Airbus A321 at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, significantly damaging the Airbus’s vertical stabilizer.
- All four pilots involved have been suspended pending a thorough investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting the Airbus A321 was improperly parked.
- No injuries were reported among the 386 passengers, though both aircraft were grounded and passengers rebooked on alternative flights.
- The incident has been classified as a Level B safety breach, the second highest on a five-tier scale, prompting a formal investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
- This accident occurs during what’s being called one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade, raising further concerns about aviation safety standards.
Collision Details Emerge as Investigation Begins
The dramatic incident unfolded around 2 p.m. local time when a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taxiing toward the runway struck a parked Airbus A321 with its right wingtip, severing the smaller aircraft’s vertical stabilizer. The collision occurred on taxiway S3 at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam’s busiest aviation hub. Debris scattered across the tarmac as airport ground crews rushed to secure the area and assess the damage to both aircraft, which were immediately removed from service for inspection.
“Two Vietnam Airlines collided after a Boeing aircraft cut too close to an Airbus, slicing its tail on the airport tarmac,” reported VN Express
The incident has been classified as a Level B safety breach, the second highest category on Vietnam’s five-tier aviation safety scale, indicating the severity of the occurrence. Both aircraft were carrying passengers at the time of the collision, with a total of 386 people on board the two planes. Despite the significant structural damage to both aircraft, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members, who were quickly evacuated and provided alternative flights to their destinations.
Airline Takes Immediate Action
Vietnam Airlines responded swiftly to the incident by suspending all four pilots involved pending the results of multiple investigations. The carrier has not issued a formal public statement about the collision but is reportedly cooperating fully with aviation authorities. Both the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and an independent investigation team have begun examining the circumstances that led to the collision to determine accountability and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Vietnam Airlines said it suspended the four pilots, two from each flight crew, from Friday afternoon pending the results of an internal investigation,” stated Vietnam Airlines
Preliminary findings suggest that improper parking of the Airbus A321 may have been a contributing factor in the collision. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the Airbus appears to have been positioned incorrectly on taxiway S3, potentially placing part of its tail section in the path of the Boeing 787 as it taxied by. The exact details of the taxiing instructions given to the Boeing crew and whether air traffic control played any role in the incident remain under investigation.
Broader Aviation Safety Concerns
This incident comes at a particularly concerning time for the global aviation industry, with 2025 already being noted as one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade. According to industry data, the number of aviation-related fatalities this year is nearly double the average annual figure, raising questions about whether safety standards are being properly maintained across the industry. While ground collisions rarely result in fatalities, they can cause millions of dollars in damage and create significant operational disruptions.
“Vietnam Airlines said it is fully cooperating with aviation authorities to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future,” stated Vietnam Airlines
The accident highlights the complex nature of airport ground operations, where multiple aircraft must navigate confined spaces while following precise instructions from air traffic controllers. Even minor deviations from established procedures can lead to significant incidents like this one. For Vietnam Airlines, the incident represents both a substantial financial loss and a potential reputational challenge as it works to maintain passenger confidence in its safety protocols and operational standards during an already difficult year for aviation safety.
