Interim report: Missing locking pin led to landing gear collapse of a Lufthansa Boeing in Frankfurt

At the time of the accident, 28 people were in the aircraft, including technicians, crew and ground personnel, according to the investigating authority. „Im Flugzeug befanden sich den Angaben zufolge 28 Personen, darunter Techniker, Besatzung und Bodenpersonal," the investigators stated. Outside the aircraft, six additional persons were directly involved. When the aircraft collapsed and struck the ground with its nose, 21 people were slightly injured and two seriously injured.

Findings of the BFU

No passengers were on board at the time of the accident, as the BFU explicitly noted. The Boeing belonged to Lufthansa's fleet and was being prepared on June 4 at a parking position at the terminal for a long-haul flight to Los Angeles when the incident occurred: „Die Boeing B787-9 der Lufthansa wurde am 4. Juni auf einer Parkposition am Terminal für einen Langstreckenflug nach Los Angeles vorbereitet."

The BFU published its findings to date as an interim report and emphasized that the investigation of the accident has not yet been completed. A final analysis with facts, conclusions and identification of causes will only be carried out in the final report, the agency explained. This report is expected in about a year. Until then, further findings on the role of the locking pin and on maintenance procedures at Frankfurt Airport could be published.

Possible consequences for maintenance

Potential safety deficiencies in maintenance processes for large aircraft are the focus of the investigations. The BFU, headquartered in Braunschweig, is the responsible German authority for the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents. It works closely with international partners, including investigators from the responsible American authority, as the Boeing 787-9 type is certified in the United States.

Frankfurt Airport is Lufthansa's largest hub and one of the most important European hub airports for long-haul connections. Incidents at parking positions are reviewed by the airport operator in close coordination with the airlines and the BFU. Should the finding regarding the missing locking pin be confirmed in the final report, consequences would be expected for maintenance and checklist processes both at Lufthansa and at other operators of the type.

Outlook on the final report

From the current interim report, it emerges that the Boeing 787-9 did indeed suffer significant structural damage to the nose and engine cowlings, but the occupants mostly sustained minor injuries. The two seriously injured persons received medical treatment. The amount of economic damage to the aircraft has not yet been quantified.