Several injured at Frankfurt Airport as front wheel of Lufthansa jet collapses
Crew members and ground staff were on board at the time
FrankLin
Several people were injured when the front wheel of a Boeing 787 jetliner unexpectedly collapsed at Frankfurt Airport.
The incident occurred early on Thursday afternoon at an airport gate, the plane’s operator Lufthansa said.
The front wheel, also known as the nose gear, is used in taxiing, takeoff and landing.
“Passengers had not yet boarded,” a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
They added that crew members and ground staff were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident.
“Several staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment,” the company added.
There were multiple emergency vehicles parked around the two-engine widebody aircraft, which partly lay on its belly.
The incident occurred at 12.45pm (10.45am GMT), and the jet was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles as flight LH450, Lufthansa said.
“We are currently investigating the exact circumstances with the relevant authorities,” the company added.
The 787, of which Lufthansa operates the 787-9 variant, is a relatively new addition for the group, which is planning to gradually phase out less efficient jets and simplify its fleet.
