A preliminary investigation into the dramatic nose gear collapse involving a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Frankfurt Airport has revealed that a missing downlock safety pin was the key factor behind the incident.
The aircraft, registered D-ABPQ and operating as Flight LH450 to Los Angeles on June 4, was undergoing maintenance checks at Gate A15 when two technicians, seated in the cockpit, moved the landing gear lever to the “UP” position for testing. Investigators found that the required nose landing gear downlock pin had not been installed and was later discovered still inside its storage box.
Without the safety pin securing the gear, the nose landing gear retracted unexpectedly at around 10:45 UTC, causing the aircraft’s nose to slam onto the concrete apron. The impact forced the cockpit door shut, cut electrical power, and left the aircraft resting on its nose and engine cowlings.
A total of 34 people were involved in the incident, including 28 onboard the aircraft and ground personnel working nearby. Two people suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital, while 21 others received treatment for minor injuries at the scene.
Airport firefighters responded quickly, restored power, and removed around 60 tonnes of fuel before lifting the aircraft’s nose using an air cushion. Once raised, the nose landing gear extended and locked into place automatically, allowing investigators to confirm that the downlock pin had never been inserted.
The Dreamliner had arrived earlier that morning from Austin and was preparing for its scheduled flight to Los Angeles when the accident occurred. Delivered to Lufthansa only in January 2026, the aircraft—named “Herne”—has since been withdrawn from service and is expected to undergo extensive repairs that could keep it grounded for several months.
The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) says the sequence of events raises serious questions about maintenance procedures, checklist compliance, and how such a critical safety step was missed. The investigation remains ongoing.
