What was meant to be a routine afternoon at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport took a startling turn when two Vietnam Airlines planes collided on the runway.
While no one was hurt, the incident quickly made headlines—not just because of the dramatic footage, but because it comes during one of the deadliest years for aviation in recent memory.
A Boeing Gets Too Close for Comfort
The incident happened around 2 p.m. on Friday.
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was taxiing on the runway when it veered too close to an Airbus A321 that was waiting to depart for Dien Bien.
What came next was caught on video by someone inside the Boeing plane.
The footage shows the Dreamliner’s right wing creeping dangerously near the tail of the stationary Airbus.
Within seconds, the wing clipped the Airbus’ tail, causing a visible jolt.
Then, rather than stopping entirely, the Boeing continued moving forward and sliced through the tail section, leaving it visibly damaged before finally coming to a halt.
Immediate Response from Ground Crew
The collision caused both aircraft to be grounded on the spot for inspection.
Passengers from both planes—386 people in total—were safely removed and sent back to the terminal, according to VN Express, a Vietnamese news outlet.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Alternative flights were arranged for all passengers, but the incident caused significant delays and confusion at the airport.
Pilots Suspended and Investigation Underway
In the wake of the crash, all four pilots involved—two from each aircraft—were suspended pending a full investigation.
Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV), along with an independent review team, has launched a formal inquiry into how such a mistake occurred on a busy taxiway.
The incident was classified as Level B by CAAV, which is the second most serious on their five-level severity scale.
Possible Mistake in Aircraft Positioning
A preliminary investigation suggests that the Airbus may not have been positioned correctly on taxiway S3, potentially contributing to the close encounter.
Debris from the damaged tail section was cleared quickly so that normal runway operations could resume.
Officials have not yet confirmed if miscommunication between the control tower and the pilots played a role.
A Tough Year for Air Travel
This incident comes at a worrying time for the aviation world.
According to aviation expert Jan-Arwed Richter, 2025 has been one of the most tragic years for air travel in over a decade.
His firm, Jacdec, tracks global aviation safety and reports that average annual fatalities from air travel are usually around 284.
This year has already nearly doubled that figure—despite air travel generally being regarded as one of the safest ways to travel.
Safety in the Spotlight Again
Although modern air travel still upholds strict safety protocols, the spike in incidents this year has reignited concerns about airline oversight, pilot training, and ground communication—especially in high-traffic zones like major international airports.
The collision in Hanoi may not have caused injuries or fatalities, but it serves as another wake-up call that even minor lapses in precision on the tarmac can lead to dangerous consequences.