Vietnam Airlines Flight Returns to Airport After Tail Strike on Takeoff
A Vietnam Airlines flight had to dump fuel and return to the airport after its tail struck the runway during takeoff.
New York, NY, August 16, 2026 —
A Vietnam Airlines flight was forced to return to the airport shortly after takeoff due to a tail strike incident. The aircraft encountered the runway with its tail during the takeoff roll, an event that necessitated an immediate diversion.
Following the incident, the flight crew initiated a fuel dumping procedure to reduce the aircraft’s weight to a safe landing level. The plane then proceeded back to the airport it had departed from.
The airline has not yet released details regarding the specific flight number, the departure and destination airports, or the number of passengers and crew on board at the time of the incident. The cause of the tail strike has not been specified.
A tail strike occurs when the tail of an aircraft makes contact with the ground. This can happen during takeoff or landing due to various factors, including improper rotation technique, exceeding weight limits, or runway conditions. Such incidents can potentially cause damage to the aircraft’s structure and systems.
Vietnam Airlines has not provided information on the extent of any damage to the aircraft or the timeline for its return to service. Further details are expected as the investigation into the incident unfolds.
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