Vietnam Airlines suspends 4 pilots after taxiway collision at Hanoi airport

The suspension, which took effect last Friday, applies to the flight crews of an Airbus A321 and a Boeing 787 that collided on a taxiway.

The move will remain in place pending the outcome of an internal and regulatory investigation, the airline said.

Vietnam Airlines said it is cooperating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and other relevant agencies, and has established its own independent team to determine the cause of the incident.

On Saturday, CAAV officials confirmed that an investigation team was being formed to examine the incident.

The probe will include interviews with the flight crews, air traffic controllers, and airport staff.

The team has already conducted on-site inspections, reviewed aircraft damage, removed cockpit voice recorders, and collected incident reports.

The collision occurred on Friday afternoon, when flight VN1804, operated by an Airbus A321 bound for northwestern Dien Bien Province, was taxiing from stand 29 toward runway 11R/29L via taxiways S and S3, where it came to a stop.

At the same time, flight VN7205, operated by a Boeing 787 bound for Ho Chi Minh City, was taxiing from stand 55 via taxiway S to S1.

As the Boeing 787 moved toward the intersection of taxiways S and S3, its right wing struck the vertical stabilizer of the stationary Airbus A321.

The 787 sustained damage to its right wingtip, while the A321 suffered damage to its vertical stabilizer.

Both aircraft were towed to parking stands for inspection.

All 386 passengers on board the two flights were unharmed and then returned to the terminal safely.

Initial findings from the Northern Airports Authority indicated the Airbus A321 may have stopped at the incorrect holding point on taxiway S3, contributing to the collision.