Vietnam Airlines collision: Two jets from same fleet crash on Hanoi airport taxiway

In a rare and serious safety incident, two aircraft from Vietnam Airlines collided on the taxiway at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport. The crash happened on June 27 around 2 pm local time. Fortunately, no passengers or crew were injured, but both aircraft were damaged, and the event has led to deep concern about flight safety and ground operations.

The incident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was preparing to take off for Ho Chi Minh City, and an Airbus A321, which was getting ready for a flight to Dien Bien. As the Boeing was moving on taxiway S3, its right wingtip struck the tail of the stationary Airbus. The tip of the Boeing’s wing sliced through the Airbus’s vertical stabilizer (tail fin), causing visible damage to both planes.

The incident was captured on video, which quickly spread on social media. In the footage, the Boeing jet can be seen moving forward and cutting into the other plane's tail with ease, raising concerns about coordination and visibility at the airport.

Passengers safe, planes grounded

There were no injuries in the accident. Vietnam Airlines quickly arranged replacement flights for all 386 affected passengers. The disruption did not extend beyond the afternoon of the incident, and airport operations resumed later the same day.

However, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A321 are now grounded for detailed inspections and repair work. Aviation safety experts say both aircraft must be fully checked before returning to service to ensure no hidden structural damage occurred during the collision.

The incident is considered very serious because such accidents are rare, especially between planes from the same airline on the ground. It has led to widespread attention from aviation authorities, industry professionals, and the general public, all of whom are questioning how such a mistake could happen.

Vietnam Airlines announced that it has suspended four pilots—two from each aircraft. These pilots will remain off duty while a full internal investigation takes place. At the same time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has started a separate, independent inquiry.

The CAAV has officially marked the crash as a Level B incident, which is the second-highest level in Vietnam’s aviation safety scale. A Level B classification means the incident involved a serious safety breach and required emergency action such as closing the taxiway or runway.

Early findings from the investigation suggest that the Airbus may have stopped in the wrong place, slightly short of its assigned holding point. This mistake could have narrowed the space available for the Boeing to safely pass on the taxiway, increasing the risk of a collision.

Both planes had experienced flight crews, and the weather was clear at the time, meaning external factors like fog or rain likely did not contribute to the accident.

Airline and authorities respond

Vietnam Airlines has said it is fully cooperating with both the internal and government investigations. The airline has also set up a special independent review team to study what went wrong and suggest improvements. They have promised to update their standard operating procedures if any weaknesses are found in communication between the flight crew, ground control, or air traffic instructions.

Experts believe the crash shows that better coordination is needed between ground staff and flight crews, especially when aircraft are moving in close spaces at busy airports like Noi Bai.

The CAAV has not yet announced any punishments or penalties, but industry insiders say disciplinary or regulatory action is likely once the final investigation reports are submitted. This could include fines, license reviews, or mandatory retraining for the pilots or ground control staff involved.

The airline is also reviewing how its crew members are trained in taxiing procedures, aircraft positioning, and communication protocols. Even though this accident happened on the ground, the risks are still very high when large jets are involved, and any error can lead to costly damage or injuries.

While mid-air collisions are extremely rare due to advanced navigation systems and strict air traffic control, ground incidents do occur from time to time. These usually happen when aircraft are taxiing to or from runways or terminals.

In most cases, such incidents involve small scrapes or bumps, often between aircraft and ground vehicles. But a collision between two commercial jets, especially from the same airline, is far less common and considered very serious.

Aviation analysts say this kind of crash is usually preventable if all safety measures are followed. This includes precise stopping at holding points, careful movement under the guidance of ground controllers, and clear communication between the cockpit crew and the control tower.

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They also say that this incident will likely lead to changes in airport safety rules and airline operations across the country, not just at Hanoi Airport.

Vietnam Airlines is the country’s flag carrier and one of its most trusted airlines. It operates dozens of flights daily, both domestic and international. This incident, however, could damage its reputation if not handled properly.

By taking quick action to ground the aircraft, suspend the pilots, and launch two investigations, the airline is trying to show that it takes safety very seriously. But experts say more will be needed to rebuild public confidence.

Passengers want to know that pilots are well-trained, ground operations are safe, and accidents like these will not happen again. Social media reactions show that many people were shocked that such a mistake could occur during routine ground movements.

Some have also called for better automation systems, including ground radar or cameras, to help pilots and controllers avoid such crashes in the future.

What happens next

Both the airline and the aviation authority are expected to release detailed reports in the coming weeks. These will outline what exactly went wrong, who was responsible, and what actions will be taken to stop it from happening again.

It is likely that the airline will update its training programs, review taxiway designs, and introduce new rules for when and how pilots can move their aircraft at the airport.

Meanwhile, passengers and aviation professionals will be watching closely to see if this rare but serious incident becomes a lesson for safety improvement, or if it’s treated as a one-off error.

What is clear for now is that two big planes collided on the ground, not because of bad weather or technical failure, but most likely due to human error and weak coordination. And in aviation, even the smallest mistake can have serious consequences.