Following the unusual takeoff of a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 at Munich Airport, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) has published a preliminary report on the incident. The findings reveal several irregularities during the takeoff roll, but do not yet provide a definitive explanation for what happened. The German pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) also considers several important questions to remain unanswered.
The incident occurred in August at Munich Airport. The Boeing 787 became airborne only after passing the end of the runway. According to the preliminary report published by the BFU on Monday, September 28, the aircraft was braked several times during the takeoff roll. Particularly notable was the aircraft’s speed profile: its speed remained at around 168 knots (311 kilometers per hour) for approximately 18 seconds. At times, the speed even decreased slightly.
Cause of the Braking Still Unclear
On Tuesday, September 29, the Vereinigung Cockpit commented on the findings published so far. Sebastian Kloth, head of the union’s Accident Analysis & Prevention working group, assessed the irregularities identified in the report. While the report provides important information about the sequence of events during the takeoff, it does not yet allow for a clear explanation of what caused the observed behavior.
One of the main questions for the ongoing investigation is what triggered the recorded braking. Possible explanations include both technical and human factors, while a combination of several contributing factors also remains possible. Based on the information currently available, it is not yet possible to determine which explanation applies.
It remains unclear, for example, whether a technical issue was involved or whether an inadvertent action by the flight crew or another event caused the braking. A combination of different factors cannot currently be ruled out either. Assigning a specific cause at this stage would therefore be premature.
18 Seconds Without Further Acceleration
Another key question is why the Boeing 787 did not continue accelerating as expected for a period of around 18 seconds. Such a period is significant during a takeoff roll. Investigators will therefore need to determine what was happening technically during this phase and what information was available to the flight crew.
It will also be important to establish how the cockpit crew perceived the situation and what circumstances may have influenced their actions. Only once these aspects have been examined in greater detail will investigators be able to reconstruct the sequence of events comprehensively.
Final Report Expected to Provide Further Answers
It is not unusual for a preliminary report to leave several questions unanswered. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further findings and help clarify the sequence of events. Until the final report is published, the exact cause of the incident remains unknown.
