Several people were injured on Thursday after the front landing gear of a Boeing 787 operated by Lufthansa unexpectedly collapsed while the aircraft was parked at Frankfurt Airport.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time at an airport gate, shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles as Flight LH450.
According to Lufthansa, passengers had not yet boarded the aircraft when the nose gear, also known as the front landing gear, gave way. However, crew members and ground personnel were on board at the time of the incident.
“Several staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment,” a Lufthansa spokesperson said.
Images from the scene showed multiple ambulances and emergency response vehicles surrounding the aircraft, which was partially resting on its belly following the collapse.
Investigation Underway
Lufthansa said it is working with relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
“We are currently investigating the exact circumstances with the relevant authorities,” the airline stated.
The nose gear plays a critical role during aircraft taxiing, takeoff, and landing operations, and any malfunction involving the component is typically subject to a detailed technical investigation.
Airport operations around the affected gate were temporarily disrupted as emergency responders attended to the injured personnel and secured the aircraft.
Boeing 787 a Key Part of Fleet Modernisation
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the newest additions to Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet.
The airline has been expanding its fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft as part of a broader strategy to retire older, less fuel-efficient jets and streamline operations with newer-generation aircraft.
Neither Lufthansa nor airport authorities immediately disclosed the number of people injured or the severity of their injuries.
Further updates are expected as investigators examine the aircraft and review maintenance and operational records related to the incident.
