Locking Pin Found in Storage Box After Lufthansa 787 Nose Gear Collapse at Frankfurt

German aviation investigators have mentioned that a misplaced locking pin is likely the explanation to an incident which caused the nose landing gear of a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to collapse during at Frankfurt Airport, causing the nose of the aircraft to drop sharply to the ground. The pin, which should have been fitted to the nose landing gear before engineers began their work, was instead found in a storage box in the aircraft's forward hold when the retraction sequence began.

What the BFU Found

According to the BFU's interim report, released on July 9, 2026, engineers followed the procedure to retract the nose landing gear as part of their checks but failed to confirm that the required safety pin was in place. The pin was subsequently found in a storage box in the aircraft's forward hold, untouched and unused during the maintenance session. 

Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, known as the BFU, confirmed that preliminary findings point to a failure of standard maintenance protocols rather than any mechanical defect in the aircraft itself. The Boeing 787's landing gear system functioned exactly as designed. The problem appears to be human, not technical. A full final report is expected in approximately one year.

Damage and Response

Lufthansa has confirmed that the aircraft has been removed from service pending a full damage assessment. Repairs to a Boeing 787 following this type of incident can take months and cost tens of millions of dollars. 

The airline issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident and confirming cooperation with the BFU investigation. Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance division responsible for the work, is expected to conduct its own internal review of procedures and training.

A Familiar Story: The British Airways Precedent

The incident is strikingly similar to one that occurred in June 2021 at London Heathrow Airport involving a British Airways Boeing 787. In that case, investigators found that a locking pin had been inserted into the wrong position, the nose gear has two holes located close together, and the pin was placed in the incorrect one. 

Boeing subsequently issued a Service Bulletin recommending that the incorrect hole be plugged to prevent future confusion. British Airways carried out that modification across its entire 787 fleet. Whether Lufthansa had applied the same Service Bulletin to D-ABPQ before the incident remains unclear.

What Comes Next

Aviation regulators have repeatedly stressed the importance of checklist discipline during maintenance operations, particularly when tests involve retracting landing gear. The BFU's recommendations from this investigation may include changes to maintenance procedures, revised training requirements, or new physical safeguards.

For Lufthansa, the immediate concern is capacity. The loss of a nearly brand-new long-haul aircraft from its fleet during peak summer travel puts pressure on scheduling and may require the airline to lease replacement lift or adjust routes while repairs are assessed.