On 7 May 2024, Vietjet flight VJ1149 from Phu Quoc landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport under heavy rain conditions and skidded off the runway centreline, colliding with the edge lighting system. The incident damaged two aircraft tyres, caused passenger panic, and temporarily disrupted airport operations.
According to aviation experts, adverse weather conditions, a wet runway surface, and the risk of hydroplaning were the main factors leading to the incident. Beyond weather-related issues, this event highlights the critical importance of runway cleanliness, maintenance, and surface condition control at major airports.
Why Runway Sweepers Are Essential for Flight Safety
1. Preventing hydroplaning by removing standing water and contaminants
During heavy rainfall, standing water combined with dirt, rubber residue, and oil can create a hazardous “slip surface.” Specialised runway sweepers remove water and contaminants, maintaining stable friction levels for aircraft tyres and significantly reducing hydroplaning risks during landing.
2. Eliminating Foreign Object Debris (FOD) to avoid aircraft damage
Metal fragments, stones, waste, or even tree branches can cause serious damage if struck by aircraft during take-off or landing. Runway sweepers effectively remove FOD, ensuring a clean and hazard-free runway surface.
3. Improving response efficiency after incidents
Following incidents such as the VJ1149 event, runway sweepers play a critical role in:
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Rapidly clearing the incident area
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Restoring safe operational conditions on the runway
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Minimising airport downtime and operational disruption
4. Maintaining runways to ICAO international standards
Regular cleaning with runway sweepers removes rubber build-up from aircraft tyres and ensures runways consistently meet ICAO requirements for friction coefficients and surface evenness.
Runway Cleaning Solutions with Dulevo Sweepers
Dulevo is an Italian manufacturer of specialised sweepers designed for demanding environments such as airports:
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Operating speeds of up to 70 km/h, enabling fast cleaning without disrupting airport operations
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Three-stage mechanical sweeping, suction, and filtration systems to remove coarse debris, sand, and PM10 fine dust
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Gore® filtration technology capturing up to 99% of fine dust, reducing dust dispersion and air pollution
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Robust design ensuring stable performance in harsh weather and challenging operating conditions
Conclusion
The Vietjet VJ1149 incident serves as a serious reminder of the importance of runway cleanliness and maintenance at major airports. Runway sweepers are not merely cleaning tools, but strategic safety solutions that help prevent aviation incidents. Investing in specialised equipment such as Dulevo runway sweepers enables airports to ensure flight safety, protect operational reputation, and maintain uninterrupted operations under all conditions.