German investigators probe Lufthansa Boeing 787 nose gear collapse in Frankfurt

German aviation investigators have opened an inquiry into the nose gear collapse of a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 at Frankfurt Airport, an incident that left several crew members and ground workers with minor injuries.

The aircraft was parked at a gate and preparing to operate flight LH450 to Los Angeles when the incident occurred at approximately 12:45 local time (UTC+2) on 4 June. Passengers had not yet boarded the aircraft.

The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) said it has launched a formal investigation. An interim report is expected within about eight weeks, while a final report could take up to a year to complete.

Lufthansa said several crew members and ground staff sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital. Two airline employees who were briefly hospitalised were discharged later the same day.

The airline said the affected Boeing 787-9 will be repaired once investigators have completed their examination of the aircraft.

The incident involves one of Lufthansa’s newer long-haul aircraft. The carrier has been introducing Boeing 787 Dreamliners as part of a broader fleet modernisation programme aimed at replacing older, less fuel-efficient aircraft and simplifying fleet operations.

The cause of the nose gear collapse has not yet been determined.