German investigators have released an interim report on a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787‑9 that overran the runway at Munich Airport on Aug. 15. The flight, bound for Hanoi, carried 271 passengers, 12 cabin crew members and four pilots.

Brake inputs recorded before takeoff

Flight‑recorder data shows the left‑side brake pedals were pressed shortly after the aircraft began its takeoff roll, activating the brake system. A second braking event was logged moments before the plane rotated for lift‑off.

Pilot actions and aircraft performance

The pilot in the left seat, a 64‑year‑old with 27,182 flight hours, was at the controls during takeoff. The co‑pilot in the right seat increased engine thrust about 18 seconds into the roll, just before liftoff. The aircraft’s speed stayed near 168 knots (311 kph) for roughly 18 seconds before the thrust increase.

Despite the thrust boost, the jet rotated below its calculated takeoff speed and became airborne from a grass area beyond the runway’s clearway. Its tail and both main landing gears struck the airport’s approach‑lighting system, causing substantial damage.

Aftermath and investigation

After becoming airborne, the designated pilot in command, who had been seated in the left jump seat at takeoff, took over control. The crew dumped 62 metric tons of fuel and returned to Munich, landing safely about two hours later. Four tires on the left main gear were damaged.

The cockpit voice recorder covering the takeoff was unavailable because its two‑hour recording window had been overwritten. Investigators have secured brake‑related components for further examination, but the report does not determine whether the brake inputs resulted from pilot action or a technical malfunction.

The BFU (German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation) says the investigation remains ongoing, and final conclusions may take at least a year. Vietnam Airlines has not yet commented on the findings.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.