Two pilots of a recent Vietjet flight that made an emergency landing have had their licences temporarily revoked.

Vietjet Air’s new Airbus A321 plane which encountered landing problem while performing flight VJ356 (Photo: VNA)

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)’s investigation group into the incident made the decision to suspend the two foreign pilots. 

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho, the two foreign pilots have made their reports on the incident and met authorized agencies to provide information on the case.

He said there will be no conclusion on the causes of the incident until the black box is analysed.

A CAAV representative said the final decision on the pilots licenses will be made once the investigation is completed.

CAAV inspectors and Airbus experts are to begin their examination of the black box on 3 December, with the French aviation accident investigation agency sending representatives to monitor the investigation.

Vietjet Air’s new Airbus A321 plane, which was put into operation on 15 November, performed flight VJ356 from Ho Chi Minh City on 29 November, and encountered a landing problem at Buon Ma Thuot airport in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

Its nose wheels remained in place after touching the runway, but later they burst while the aircraft was still moving. The landing gear without wheels ploughed into the surface of the runway, causing some light damage.

The plane managed to come to a safe halt, the CAAV said, adding the cabin crew carried out emergency procedures to help all 207 passengers exit the aircraft.

Some passengers suffering from minor injuries were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for examination. They were discharged in stable condition.

(Source: VNA)