Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Nose Gear Collapses at Frankfurt Gate | WATCH

A Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner suffered a nose landing gear collapse while parked at the gate at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) today, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and the cancellation of its scheduled flight to Los Angeles.

The aircraft, registered D-ABPQ and named "Herne," is a nearly new jet delivered to Lufthansa around early 2026. It had arrived earlier as flight LH469 and was being prepared for departure on LH450 to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when the incident occurred.

Photos and videos from the scene show the aircraft resting nose-down on the apron, with visible damage including a ripped panel near the forward fuselage. Emergency services responded to the scene, and teams were seen preparing for defueling operations.

No passengers were on board at the time of the collapse. Reports indicate no serious injuries, though some unconfirmed accounts mention possible minor injuries to crew or ground staff. Lufthansa has not yet released an official statement on casualties or the exact cause.

The incident led to the immediate cancellation of LH450. Frankfurt Airport reported no broader operational disruptions.

The cause of the gear collapse remains under investigation. Aviation experts have noted that ground-based nose gear collapses on the 787 are rare but have occurred previously, sometimes linked to hydraulic issues, maintenance factors, or human error during preparation. A similar incident involving a British Airways 787 in 2021 was attributed to an incorrectly installed downlock pin.

The aircraft is expected to be out of service for several weeks while repairs are carried out. D-ABPQ will likely require substantial structural work before returning to flight.

Lufthansa operates one of the largest 787 fleets in Europe, with the type forming a key part of its long-haul operations from Frankfurt and Munich.