Incident Overview

On Thursday, Lufthansa experienced an unexpected situation at Frankfurt Airport when the nose gear of one of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners collapsed while the aircraft was parked at a gate. This incident resulted in injuries to several employees. At the time, only crew members and ground personnel were on board as preparations were underway for a flight to Los Angeles, which was subsequently canceled.

Response and Investigation

Lufthansa released a statement confirming the injuries and stated that affected employees were receiving medical care. An investigation is underway, involving both the airline and relevant authorities. Since delivered in January, the aircraft has been a key part of Lufthansa’s fleet. It entered service in February and completed 137 flights, according to Flightradar24.

“Several employees were injured and are currently receiving medical attention,” Lufthansa stated while confirming ongoing investigations.

Boeing acknowledged awareness of the incident and is offering support to Lufthansa.

Eyewitness Video and Expert Opinion

A video from the scene showed the aircraft’s front wheels sliding forward, causing the plane’s nose to drop abruptly. The nose gear bay doors broke off during impact, as seen in the footage. Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti remarked on the rarity of nose gear collapse occurring while parked. He emphasized the need for thorough investigation, noting potential causes like prior damage, mechanical failure, or maintenance issues.

“They’re going to look at every square inch of that nose landing gear strut and the mechanisms that operate it,” Guzzetti noted.

Similar Incidents and Aircraft Background

In 2021, a comparable incident took place at London’s Heathrow Airport. A Boeing 787-8’s nose gear folded due to an incorrectly positioned locking pin during maintenance, causing the nose to fall. The 787 Dreamliner has been crucial for long international routes since its 2011 introduction. It has a capacity to carry up to 296 passengers, based on configuration.

The 787 program has previously faced production challenges. Issues with the fuselage material began in 2020, leading to inspections revealing problems with a pressurization bulkhead. In May 2021, deliveries were halted for further scrutiny. June 2023 brought additional disruptions, as fitting inspections on the aircraft’s tail identified a “nonconforming condition.” Boeing assured that these latest findings wouldn’t risk safety for planes already operational.

AP Airlines and Travel writer Yamat contributed reporting from Las Vegas.