Boeing botched takeoff in Munich: Pilot apparently pressed the brake during takeoff

Heinrich Großbongardt, who is investigating the case for the BFU, explained that holding the brake during the takeoff procedure requires a noticeably perceptible force. It is therefore unclear how the pilot could have done this without noticing it. The BFU is now examining which circumstances led to the braking action while accelerating on the runway.

Crew reaction

After the failed takeoff, the crew reacted in coordination with air traffic control. „In Absprache mit der Flugsicherung ließ der Pilot Kerosin ab und flog zweimal mit ausgefahrenem Hauptfahrwerk am Flughafen vorbei, damit das Bodenpersonal eine Sichtprüfung vornehmen konnte“, heißt es in der Mitteilung der Untersuchungsstelle.

Releasing fuel and making the two passes with the landing gear extended was intended to allow ground crews to visually identify possible damage to tires, brakes, or the landing gear. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Munich Airport.

Possible causes and open questions

The incident raises questions about the operation of the brakes during the takeoff phase, a phase in which the brake pedal is typically not applied. The BFU is investigating whether a technical defect, an operational error, or an interplay of both factors could have triggered the braking action.

Munich is one of the busiest airports in Bavaria. An aborted takeoff at such a late stage is unusual and is generally classified by investigators as a serious safety event, even if no one was harmed.

Background: botched takeoff and aborted takeoff

Neither Vietnam Airlines nor Boeing have so far been quoted with their own statements on the specific incident. The BFU announced it would continue to clarify the sequence of events and, in doing so, also review the maintenance history and the training documents of the crew involved.

Such botched takeoffs are referred to in aviation as "rejected takeoff" or "aborted takeoff" if they are aborted before becoming airborne. In this case, according to the BFU, the aircraft did not lift off at all, which suggests it should be categorized as a botched takeoff rather than an aborted takeoff.