HANOI— Vietnam Airlines (VN) has suspended four pilots after a taxiing mishap involving two of its aircraft at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). The incident disrupted scheduled departures to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Dien Bien (DIN), affecting over 380 passengers.
A Boeing 787 clipped an Airbus A321 on the taxiway at around 2 p.m. on Friday, prompting the immediate grounding of both aircraft and triggering a high-level safety investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
Vietnam Airlines Suspends Pilots
The incident occurred as a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 was taxiing toward the runway at Noi Bai Airport (HAN) for its scheduled departure to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
As it moved through the intersection of taxiways S3 and S, the aircraft’s right wingtip struck the vertical stabilizer of a stationary Airbus A321, which was preparing for departure to Dien Bien (DIN).
The Boeing’s wingtip sustained visible damage, while the Airbus A321’s tail fin was torn. Both aircraft were grounded for technical inspections. Vietnam Airlines promptly dispatched replacement aircraft to accommodate over 380 delayed passengers.
In response, the airline suspended all four pilots involved—two from each cockpit crew—pending the outcome of an internal investigation. A separate independent team has also been assigned to probe the circumstances of the collision alongside the CAAV, VNExpress reported.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has officially categorized the taxiway collision as a Level B safety incident. This rating signifies a serious breach of operational procedures with potential implications for flight safety, though short of a catastrophe.
Preliminary findings suggest that the Airbus A321 may not have been positioned correctly at the designated holding point on taxiway S3 at the time of the event. This possible deviation from protocol is central to the ongoing investigation.
Similar Suspensions
An EasyJet (U2) Airbus A320 on approach to Hurghada (HRG) came dangerously close to a mountain, prompting a critical in-flight alert and subsequent investigation.
The aircraft, operating a scheduled flight from Manchester (MAN) to Hurghada (HRG), descended to a dangerously low altitude, leading to the suspension of the pilot and a full safety inquiry by EasyJet (U2).
On February 2, an EasyJet Airbus A320 approaching Hurghada (HRG) from Manchester (MAN) descended to just 3,100 feet—only 771 feet above terrain peaking at 2,329 feet.
The aircraft’s Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) issued an urgent “pull up” alert, prompting immediate corrective action by the flight crew.
Standard approach procedures into Hurghada’s mountainous airspace mandate a safe clearance altitude of around 6,000 feet. However, flight data showed the aircraft was descending at an excessive rate of 4,928 feet per minute before stabilization. Aviation experts highlighted this descent rate as critically unsafe given the surrounding terrain.
Captain Paul Elsworth, the pilot in command, self-reported the incident the next day while preparing for the return flight to Manchester (MAN). EasyJet (U2) suspended Capt. Elsworth and deployed a replacement crew for the return leg.
While both the captain’s and first officer’s testimonies are central to the investigation, the cockpit voice recorder data was unfortunately overwritten during the return flight, complicating the analysis. Despite this, EasyJet (U2) confirmed that internal procedures are being followed rigorously.
The airline reiterated its commitment to safety:
“Safety is the number one priority for all our pilots. They are trained to the highest industry standards, subject to rigorous testing and monitored closely.”
DGCA Grounded IndiGo Pilots
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the IndiGo (6E) flight crew involved in a tail strike incident that occurred at Delhi Airport (DEL) on September 9, 2024.
The aircraft, operating IndiGo flight 6E6054 from Delhi (DEL) to Bengaluru (BLR), was an Airbus A321neo. It suffered a tail strike during takeoff and has remained grounded for over a week since the incident.
The Airbus A321neo, registered as VT-IBI, reportedly experienced a severe tail contact with the runway surface while departing Delhi (DEL). The flight was en route to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR), but the damage necessitated grounding of the aircraft. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft returned to the gate after the event.
According to preliminary findings, the DGCA is conducting a detailed analysis of flight data, crew performance, and procedural adherence.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
