Boeing 787 nose gear collapses at Frankfurt Airport, injuries reported

Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner suffers nose gear collapse at Frankfurt Airport

A nearly new Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner suffered a dramatic nose gear collapse at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday, June 4, 2026, while preparing for a flight to Los Angeles. The incident occurred around 12:45 PM local time at Gate A12, as ground crews were making final preparations for flight LH450. Several Lufthansa ground staff members were injured and received on-site medical treatment, though the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

The aircraft, registration D-ABPQ and named "Herne," was delivered to Lufthansa in January 2026, making it barely five months old. Security camera footage shared on social media shows the moment the front landing gear unexpectedly retracted, causing the nose of the Dreamliner to slam onto the apron. The impact caused the engines to scrape against the ground, and the aircraft sustained visible damage to its forward section.

What happened: Sequence of events

According to airport officials, the flight crew was already on board completing pre-departure checks, but no passengers had yet boarded the aircraft. Ground service vehicles were positioned around the plane when the nose gear suddenly gave way. Emergency services responded immediately, and the injured staff members were treated at the scene. Lufthansa has since cancelled the flight and is cooperating with aviation authorities to determine the root cause.

The incident draws immediate comparisons to a British Airways 787 nose gear collapse at London Heathrow in 2021, which was later attributed to a downlock pin insertion error during maintenance. However, investigators have not yet ruled out mechanical failure or a manufacturing defect.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner: A history of landing gear issues

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world's first major airliner with an airframe made primarily of composite materials, has faced several challenges since its introduction in 2011. While the type has an overall good safety record, landing gear problems have occurred before. In 2021, a British Airways 787-8 suffered a similar nose gear collapse at London Heathrow after maintenance crews failed to properly insert a downlock pin. In 2024, a Qatar Airways 787-9 experienced a landing gear sinking incident at Hamad International Airport when the aircraft's nose wheel sank into a drainage feature on the tarmac.

The landing gear on the 787 is supplied by French aerospace company Safran Landing Systems. The specific component that failed on D-ABPQ will be examined by investigators from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) alongside Boeing and Lufthansa technical teams.

Lufthansa's response and operational impact

Lufthansa has confirmed that the aircraft has been withdrawn from service pending a full inspection and recovery operation. The airline stated: "The safety of our passengers and staff is our highest priority. We are working closely with the authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly." The airline has rebooked affected passengers on alternative flights to Los Angeles.

This incident comes at a challenging time for Lufthansa, which has been dealing with multiple rounds of cabin crew strikes in recent months that have led to hundreds of flight cancellations. The Lufthansa pilot strikes 2026 have already disrupted travel for thousands of passengers across Europe.

Broader context: Boeing's quality control scrutiny

The Frankfurt incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing quality control. In 2024, an FAA investigation revealed that Boeing employees at its South Carolina plant had falsified inspection records regarding wing-to-fuselage bonding and electrical grounding on the 787, affecting potentially hundreds of aircraft. Boeing has since implemented corrective measures under FAA oversight, but whistleblower allegations of assembly shortcuts have deepened concerns about systemic quality assurance problems.

In June 2025, the 787 program suffered its first fatal crash when Air India Flight 171 went down near Ahmedabad, India, shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. While the cause of that crash remains under investigation, the incident has put additional pressure on Boeing to ensure the highest safety standards across its product line.

What happens next: Investigation and recovery

The damaged Dreamliner will need to be lifted and its landing gear repaired or replaced before it can be towed to a hangar for detailed inspection. Aviation experts suggest the investigation will focus on three main possibilities: a mechanical failure in the landing gear assembly, a maintenance error during ground servicing, or a manufacturing defect introduced during assembly. The BFU is expected to issue a preliminary report within 30 days.

For now, Frankfurt Airport operations continue normally, and the incident has not caused significant disruptions to other flights. However, the event serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Boeing's 787 program as the manufacturer works to restore confidence in its widebody jetliner.

FAQ: Boeing 787 nose gear collapse at Frankfurt

What caused the Lufthansa Boeing 787 nose gear collapse?

The exact cause is still under investigation. Possible factors include mechanical failure, maintenance error, or a manufacturing defect. A similar incident involving a British Airways 787 in 2021 was caused by a downlock pin not being properly inserted after maintenance.

Were any passengers injured?

No passengers were on board at the time of the incident. The injuries were limited to Lufthansa ground staff who were working near the aircraft. All injured personnel received medical treatment at the scene.

How old was the aircraft that collapsed?

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (registration D-ABPQ) was delivered to Lufthansa in January 2026, making it approximately five months old at the time of the incident.

Has this happened to other Boeing 787s before?

Yes. In 2021, a British Airways 787-8 suffered a similar nose gear collapse at London Heathrow. Additionally, a Qatar Airways 787 experienced a landing gear sinking incident in 2024. These are rare but not unprecedented events for the type.

Will this affect Boeing 787 operations worldwide?

Aviation authorities are monitoring the situation. If the investigation reveals a systemic issue, the FAA or EASA could issue an airworthiness directive requiring inspections or modifications. For now, no widespread groundings have been ordered.

Sources

Information for this article was gathered from Lufthansa official statements, Frankfurt Airport authorities, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), Boeing, the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), and reports from Simple Flying, Air Data News, and TechnoSports. Wikipedia was used for background on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program.