Expert says Dreamliner braking data raise disturbing questions

Data in an interim report on a near-disaster involving a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 at Munich Airport suggest the aircraft’s brakes were applied during take-off, raising questions about whether a pilot or a technical fault was responsible, BR reports.

The aircraft, carrying nearly 290 people, overran the runway in mid-August and lifted off from the grass beyond it. The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, based in Braunschweig, said it had secured parts of the braking system for further examination. The cause remains unclear.

Aviation expert Heinrich Großbongardt told BR that the published data appeared to show the pilot in the left-hand seat applying the brakes for much of the take-off. Aircraft brakes are operated with the toes, he said, comparing the situation to driving with the handbrake on. Investigators need to establish how the pilot could have kept pressure on the brakes without noticing, he said, noting that it would require “a clearly noticeable force”.

According to the report, the aircraft lifted off 240 metres beyond the end of the runway and was travelling about 20 kilometres per hour below the required speed. Großbongardt said the aircraft “was not really able to fly yet” and that the crew had forced it into the air at the last moment.

The report says the take-off was cleared at 1:55 p.m. on 15 August. The take-off run began shortly afterwards, and seconds later the brake pedals were activated and held down. Shortly before the aircraft lifted off, the co-pilot manually increased engine thrust.

The aircraft crossed the runway end and rolled onto the grass before taking off. Its tail and landing gear struck 20 runway lights, damaging the fuselage. After landing, damage was also found on four tyres.

Investigators will examine the braking system further, including by reading its memory chips. Großbongardt expects them to speak with the pilots and determine whether braking from the cockpit caused the incident or whether a technical problem was involved. The BFU expects to publish its final report by August 2027.