Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Nose Gear Collapses at Frankfurt Gate, Injuring Staff

Germany: A Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner suffered a sudden nose landing gear collapse while parked at a gate at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday, damaging the nearly new widebody aircraft and injuring several crew members and ground staff.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. local time as the aircraft, registration D-ABPQ named “Herne,” was being prepared for departure on flight LH450 to Los Angeles. No passengers had boarded the plane at the time.

The jet tilted sharply nose-down at the terminal, with its front landing gear collapsed. Emergency services responded promptly, and the aircraft sustained significant structural damage. The relatively new Dreamliner, which entered service with Lufthansa in February 2026, will be out of service for an extended period of repairs.

Lufthansa confirmed that several staff members on board or working near the aircraft were injured and are receiving medical treatment. The airline and airport operator Fraport are investigating the cause.