Saturday, June 28, 2025
Hanoi – June 27, 2025, saw a major air accident at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport when two Vietnam Airlines planes collided in the taxiing process on the runway. No one was injured and the incident has prompted a full-scale investigation by Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV). The collision brought air traffic to a standstill at one of Vietnam’s busiest airports but was handled smoothly by ground staff and the airline.
Around 2:00 PM local time, the first plane, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (flight VN-A863), was set to depart for Ho Chi Minh City. The plane was taxiing down the runway and heading for the taxiway S3 and S intersection when it collided with the tail of another Vietnam Airlines plane, an Airbus A321 (flight VN-A338), that was taxiing for departure to Dien Bien. The Northern Airports Authority reported that there was visible damage on both planes: the right wingtip of the Boeing was damaged, and the vertical stabilizer of the Airbus was ripped. Debris from both planes lay scattered all over the tarmac, and ground personnel rushed in.
While the two planes were destroyed, nobody was injured among the 259 passengers of the Boeing or 127 passengers of the Airbus. All the passengers and baggage were evacuated by the airline immediately back to Terminal 1, where they were offered alternative flights. Vietnam Airlines went above the norm to reduce the impact of the incident, and passengers were rebooked on alternative flights to their destinations immediately.
Swift Response and Operational Impact
The airport authorities, along with Vietnam Airlines staff, acted rapidly to secure the site. Both aircraft were moved to remote stands for technical inspections, ensuring that the damaged planes were out of the way to clear the taxiways for other flights. The affected taxiways S and S3 were cleaned and cleared, and operations at the airport returned to normal within a short period. In the meantime, all departing flights continued without further delays, and passengers were kept informed of the situation.
Despite the quick resolution, this incident raised significant concerns regarding the safety of aircraft ground operations, particularly on busy airport taxiways. Given the heavy air traffic at Noi Bai International Airport, the collision temporarily caused some delays but did not result in a major disruption to overall flight schedules.
Investigation and Preliminary Findings
The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority, in cooperation with other relevant authorities, immediately launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. The early investigation points to the possibility that the Airbus, which was waiting for takeoff clearance, may not have been correctly positioned at its designated holding point on taxiway S3. This oversight may have contributed to the incident, although the investigation is ongoing, and the full cause has not yet been determined.
“The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are working closely with all involved parties to understand what went wrong,” said a spokesperson from the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority. “Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all passengers and improve the safety protocols at our airports.”
In response to the incident, Vietnam Airlines suspended four pilots involved in the operation pending the results of the investigation. The airline has expressed its full cooperation with authorities to ensure the incident is fully understood and that any necessary changes are made to avoid similar situations in the future.
Impact on Passengers and Airline Response
The collision undoubtedly caused inconvenience to the affected passengers, but the swift and efficient response from both Vietnam Airlines and the airport authorities helped to minimize the disruption. After the evacuation, the passengers were quickly rescheduled on alternative flights, ensuring that most travelers did not experience significant delays.
For those who were waiting to depart on the delayed flights, the airline’s customer service team provided assistance, including offering food, beverages, and accommodation as necessary. Vietnam Airlines also reassured passengers that their safety remained the airline’s top priority, and it would work to ensure that similar incidents did not occur in the future.
Safety Concerns and the Larger Context
This incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols, particularly during the busy operation of major international airports. As aviation traffic increases worldwide, the risk of such collisions, even while taxiing, becomes a concern for all major airlines and airports. Therefore, this incident has prompted a broader discussion on the need for continued investment in airport infrastructure, improved training for ground crew, and enhanced communication between flight crews and ground control.
The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority and Vietnam Airlines have both committed to ensuring that these lessons will be used to improve safety procedures and reduce the risk of similar accidents. The investigation’s findings will likely lead to enhanced measures at Noi Bai International Airport and may have implications for other airports in Vietnam and beyond.
Final Thoughts on the Incident
The ground collision of the two Vietnam Airlines aircraft at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is a reminder of the complexity and risk potential of major airports’ ground operations. Although the collision led to some damage to the aircraft, praise is due to the resilience of the aviation community that nobody was hurt. The collision, although traumatic, was handled professionally, with all the passengers escorted back to the terminal and alternative travel arrangements made.
As the investigation concludes, the aviation industry will certainly learn some lessons from this accident and continue to streamline safety protocols in ways that will keep air travel as safe and efficient as can be. Travelers and industry experts alike will be following closely as the authorities decide the complete details of what caused the collision and how such accidents will be prevented in the future.
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