Vietnam Airlines suspends pilots after two planes collide

VIETNAM AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 VN-A863 (MSN 35153)

Vietnam Airlines has suspended four pilots after two of its planes collided at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport (HAN/VVNB) on the 27th of June. The incident occurred around 2pm local time when a Boeing 787 was taxiing for take-off to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN/VVTS).

As it moved through the intersection of taxiways S3 and S, its right-wing tip struck the vertical stabiliser of an Airbus A321 that was waiting to depart for Dien Bien (DIN/VVDB). The Boeing’s wing tip was damaged, while the Airbus sustained a long tear in its tail fin.

Both aircraft were immediately grounded for technical inspections, and replacement planes were arranged to transport over 380 affected passengers to their destinations. Vietnam Airlines said it suspended the four pilots, two from each flight crew, from the afternoon of June 27 pending the results of an internal investigation. The airline has also set up an independent team to examine the cause of the collision alongside the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

The CAAV has classified the collision as a level B serious incident, the second highest on the five-tier aviation safety scale, indicating a severe safety breach that forced temporary runway or taxiway closures. Preliminary findings suggest that the Airbus A321 was not parked at its designated holding point on taxiway S3 at the time of the collision. Vietnam Airlines said it is fully cooperating with the aviation authorities to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future. 

This incident couldn't have come at a worse time as only a few days ago Vietnam Airlines grounded 12 A321 aircraft, representing 20% of its domestic fleet, for up to 300 days due to engine issues, as supply chain disruptions have doubled the maintenance time, its CEO said. Le Hong Ha said engine issues are plaguing over 3,500 A321/A320neo aircraft worldwide with Pratt & Whitney engines.

Vietnam Airlines uses 24 of the engines, he said Thursday on the sidelines of the 2024 International Airline Symposium in Hanoi. The engine problems have also impacted Vietnam Airlines' Airbus A350 aircraft, he added.

Aircraft Information No:1

Airline: Vietnam Airlines

Code: VN/HVN

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Registration: VN-A863

Serial number: 35153

Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B
First flew: 27/08/2015
Age: 3.5 Years

Aircraft Information No: 2

Airline: Vietnam Airlines

Code: VN/HVN

Aircraft: Airbus A321-231

Registration: VN-A338

Serial number: 5251

Engines: 2 x IAE V2533-A5
First flew: 20/07/2012
Age: 12.9 Years