Boeing 787 SLAMS Parked Jet — Alarming Airport Crash

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 sliced through the tail of a stationary Airbus A321 at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, suspending four pilots and prompting an investigation into what officials are calling a “severe safety breach” during a year already plagued by airline safety incidents.

Key Takeaways

• A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s wing collided with the tail of a parked Airbus A321 at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, causing significant damage to both aircraft.
• All four pilots involved have been suspended pending investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting the Airbus A321 was improperly parked on taxiway S3.
• No injuries were reported among the 386 passengers aboard both planes, who were provided alternate flights after the incident.
• The collision has been classified as a Level B incident—the second highest on a five-tier safety breach scale—during what’s being called one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade.

Mid-Day Collision Causes Substantial Aircraft Damage

A serious ground collision occurred at approximately 2 p.m. at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport when a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s right wingtip struck the vertical stabilizer of a stationary Airbus A321. The impact sliced through the tail section of the Airbus, resulting in immediate grounding of both aircraft. Passengers on the Boeing 787 captured the dramatic moment on video, showing debris scattered across the tarmac as the larger aircraft made contact with the parked plane.

Airport officials quickly cleared debris from the runway to prevent further safety hazards, while maintenance crews assessed the extensive damage to both aircraft. The Boeing 787 was taxiing toward the runway when the incident occurred, suggesting possible navigation or communication errors between ground control and the flight crew. Aviation experts note that such ground collisions, while rare, often result from procedural failures or improper positioning of aircraft on busy airport tarmacs.

Immediate Response and Passenger Safety

Vietnam Airlines took swift action following the collision, suspending all four pilots involved in the incident—two from each aircraft—pending a thorough investigation. The airline also arranged alternative flights for the 386 passengers affected by the grounding of both planes. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members on either aircraft, preventing what could have potentially been a more serious safety incident.

“Vietnam Airlines has suspended four pilots after two of its planes collided at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport on Friday,” stated Vietnam Airlines.

The incident has been classified as a Level B event on a five-tier scale, indicating a severe safety breach that demands immediate attention from aviation authorities. This classification triggers mandatory reporting protocols and requires thorough investigation before either aircraft can return to service. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has dispatched investigators to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision.

Investigation Reveals Potential Parking Error

Preliminary findings from investigators suggest the Airbus A321 may not have been parked correctly on taxiway S3, creating a hazardous situation that contributed to the collision. Both the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and an independent investigation team are examining air traffic control communications, taxiway protocols, and pilot actions in the moments leading up to the incident. The investigation will determine whether human error, procedural failures, or other factors were primarily responsible.

“Vietnam Airlines said it is fully cooperating with aviation authorities to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future,” Vietnam Airlines reported.

The timing of this incident is particularly concerning as 2025 is already being noted as one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade, with aviation fatalities nearly doubling the average rate. While ground collisions rarely result in fatalities, they represent significant safety lapses that can lead to substantial financial losses and undermine public confidence in airline safety protocols. This incident adds to growing concerns about aviation safety standards during a year that has already seen multiple high-profile aviation incidents.

Broader Industry Safety Concerns

This Vietnam Airlines incident occurs against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of aircraft manufacturers and airline safety protocols worldwide. Boeing in particular has faced intense criticism over manufacturing and quality control issues in recent years. While no manufacturing defects appear to be involved in this specific incident, it highlights the complex safety challenges facing the global aviation industry. Industry experts point to the need for continuous improvements in training, communication, and ground movement procedures.

“Two Vietnam Airlines collided after a Boeing aircraft cut too close to an Airbus, slicing its tail on the airport tarmac,” reported by media. (See the video in the link).

As the investigation continues, Vietnam Airlines has yet to provide detailed public comments on the incident beyond confirming the suspension of the pilots involved. Aviation safety analysts expect the airline to implement additional training and procedural changes following the completion of the investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future. The financial impact of grounding two valuable aircraft and potential regulatory penalties could prove substantial for the airline.