Boeing Plane Hits Light Poles in Near ‘Disaster’ Take-Off

Hundreds of passengers aboard a Vietnam Airlines jet endured a terrifying takeoff after the massive plane scraped its tail along the runway, tore across grass and struck airport light poles before finally getting airborne.

The frightening incident unfolded as the Boeing 787 was taking off from Munich, Germany, bound for Hanoi with 271 passengers and 16 crew members on board.

The 250-ton aircraft was already racing toward the end of the runway when something suddenly went wrong.

According to Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority, the pilots reported that the jet appeared to stop accelerating for roughly two seconds during the takeoff roll.

With just about 300 feet of runway reportedly remaining, the pilots pulled the aircraft into the air.

But the maneuver sent the plane’s tail scraping against the runway.

Witness footage showed a cloud of dust erupting behind the jet as it veered over the grassy area beside the runway and struck several light poles while climbing away from the airport.

Despite the dramatic takeoff, the pilots were able to keep the aircraft under control.

The jet later returned safely to Munich, where everyone on board escaped without injury.

Aviation experts said the situation could have ended very differently.

American Airlines Boeing pilot Juan Browne said attempting to abort the takeoff so close to the end of the runway could have resulted in “disaster.”

Retired Air France pilot Jacques Jaurand said investigators will likely examine both the aircraft and decisions made inside the cockpit.

“There may have been a problem with decision-making on the flight deck and also perhaps a problem with the aircraft itself,” Jaurand said.

Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation has launched an investigation into the incident.

Investigators are expected to examine why the Boeing 787 temporarily lost acceleration, why the aircraft used nearly the entire runway before lifting off and what caused it to strike the ground and airport equipment during its departure.

For the nearly 300 people aboard, however, the frightening flight ended with everyone safely back on the ground.