German airline Lufthansa reported several injuries among employees when the nose gear of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collapsed. The incident occurred at Frankfurt airport while the aircraft was parked at a gate. The collapse happened before passenger boarding for a scheduled flight to Los Angeles, which was subsequently canceled.
Only crew members and ground staff were on board the aircraft at the time. Lufthansa acknowledged the injuries and stated that affected employees are receiving medical care. The airline and relevant authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.
The aircraft, one of Lufthansa’s newest additions, was delivered in January and entered service in February. It has since completed 137 flights, according to Flightradar24. Boeing is aware of the situation and assisting its customer, Lufthansa.
Video footage shows the aircraft’s nose falling to the ground as its front wheels slid forward. The doors to the nose gear bay broke upon impact.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former U.S. federal aviation investigator, noted that such collapses are rare during an aircraft’s idle state. Potential issues might include previous damage, mechanical failure, or maintenance errors. Investigators will scrutinize the plane’s maintenance records and systems.
A similar event occurred in 2021 at London Heathrow involving another Boeing 787’s nose gear. The investigation revealed a locking pin was wrongly placed, allowing the gear to retract during maintenance.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its long-haul capabilities, debuted in 2011. This particular version carries up to 296 passengers, depending on configuration. The 787 program has faced production and quality-control issues, including halted deliveries due to inspections since 2020. Boeing resumed 787 deliveries after addressing fuselage and pressurization bulkhead issues.
In June 2023, Boeing announced another delay due to inspection needs concerning the horizontal stabilizer fittings. This was not deemed a safety risk for planes already flying.
Reporter Yamat, specializing in airlines and travel for AP, contributed from Las Vegas.