Abstract: Aiming at the problem of severe deformation of return airway in overlying Ⅳ₂ coal seam 21030 face during the mining period of lower Ⅱ₁ coal seam 21110 working face of Henan Yunmei No.1 Mine, the numerical model was applied to study the characteristics of overlying strata moving and stress after the 21110 working face has finished coal mining. The results show that the 75 m protective coal pillar which is remined in Ⅱ₁ coal seam by strata movement angle can not afford the stability of overlying 21030 working face airway. Both overlying strata moving and stress lead to severe deformation of the overlying airway; which is the main reason depends on the position of roadway locating in the overburden. The airway of 21030 working face is within the line of dangerous stress boundary not the line of dangerous moving boundary, therefore, the mining stress is the main reason for deformation of the roadway. So, the method of designing protecting coal pillar for the above roadway based on the dangerous stress boundary line is proposed.