Frankfurt: Several employees were injured when a Lufthansa plane collapsed while parked at the gate at Frankfurt Airport for reasons yet unknown, the airline said on Thursday.
According to Ghana News Agency, the German flag carrier confirmed 'an incident' involving a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which can accommodate between 200 and 440 passengers. Lufthansa reported that several of its employees were injured when the plane slammed to the ground at 12:45 pm (1045 GMT).
A Lufthansa spokesman explained that 'the aircraft's nose landing gear unexpectedly retracted' while the plane was in parking. At the time of the incident, several crew members and ground staff had been on board the plane, which was due to depart for Los Angeles as flight LH450. Passengers had not yet boarded the plane.
'Several staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment,' the Lufthansa spokesman stated. The exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated with the relevant authorities, with technicians and support staff on site.
Emergency vehicles were visible parked next to the aircraft following the crash. A video shared by tracking website Flightradar24 shows the nose gear of the aircraft snapping, causing the body of the plane to crash to the ground. The jet bridge had already been attached at that point, according to the footage.
An airport worker wearing a safety vest can be seen close to the plane's nose as the aircraft collapses, jumping back to avoid being hit. Another worker can be seen standing on top of a cargo lift on the right-hand side of the aircraft. Both appear to be unharmed.
Images posted on social media depict the front of a Lufthansa aircraft lying on its belly next to a gate, with the tail remaining above ground.
The plane appears to have sustained extensive damage. Lufthansa received its first Boeing 787-9 in 2022, with a total of 29 Dreamliners to be purchased by the end of 2027.
Frankfurt operator Fraport stated that the incident did not affect traffic at the airport.