Frankfurt, Germany – A Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner experienced a significant nose landing gear collapse today while parked at a gate at Frankfurt Airport. The incident occurred around 12:45 PM local time, just before passengers were scheduled to board flight LH450 to Los Angeles. Fortunately, no passengers were on board at the time, but several Lufthansa employees and ground staff sustained minor injuries and were taken for medical evaluation.
The dramatic event, captured on video, shows the aircraft's nose gear retracting unexpectedly, causing the front of the massive jet to drop onto the tarmac. The aircraft, identified as D-ABPQ and named 'Herne,' was delivered to Lufthansa in January 2026, making it one of the newest additions to the airline's long-haul fleet. The collapse occurred before the passenger boarding process had begun, and the flight to Los Angeles was subsequently canceled.
Lufthansa has confirmed that an investigation into the exact cause of the incident is underway, with specialists on-site examining the aircraft. The airline stated, "We are currently investigating the exact circumstances together with the relevant authorities. Technicians and support staff are on site." Boeing has also acknowledged the incident, stating they are "aware of the incident and supporting our customer."
This incident bears a striking resemblance to a similar event involving a British Airways Boeing 787-8 in June 2021 at London Heathrow Airport. In that case, the nose landing gear retracted during maintenance, leading to the aircraft's nose impacting the ground. Investigations into the British Airways incident revealed that a locking pin, designed to prevent accidental retraction, had been inserted into the incorrect hole in the landing gear assembly. The exact cause of the Lufthansa incident is yet to be determined, but investigators will likely examine maintenance records and the landing gear's mechanical systems.
The damaged Boeing 787-9 is expected to be moved to a maintenance hangar for further inspection and repair. The airline is working to re-accommodate passengers from the canceled flight. The incident highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance protocols and ongoing safety checks in aviation, even for relatively new aircraft.
