A Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Lufthansa experienced a sudden collapse of its nose landing gear while parked at a gate at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday, resulting in injuries to several crew members.
Incident Details
The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 PM local time, before passengers had boarded the aircraft. The plane was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles as flight LH450 at 1:50 PM. However, the flight was subsequently cancelled due to the significant damage sustained by the jet.
Footage shared on social media captured the moment the nose gear unexpectedly gave way, causing the front of the two-engine widebody aircraft to drop onto its belly. Emergency vehicles quickly surrounded the aircraft at the gate.
Injuries and Response
A Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that crew members and ground staff were on board at the time of the collapse. “Several staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The condition of the injured personnel has not yet been disclosed.
Airport and airline technicians, along with support staff, have been deployed to the scene. The company stated, “We are currently investigating the exact circumstances with the relevant authorities.”
Aircraft and Fleet Context
The Boeing 787 involved is a 787-9 variant, which is a relatively new addition to Lufthansa’s fleet. The airline has been gradually phasing out less efficient aircraft and simplifying its fleet, with the 787 playing a key role in these plans.
A spokesperson for Frankfurt Airport confirmed the incident and noted that the relevant authorities are investigating the cause. It remains unclear whether the collapse was due to human error or a technical defect.
