Lufthansa plane catches fire at Frankfurt Airport
June 11, 2018 – Frankfurt, Germany
A Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 aircraft suffered significant damage after a towing truck caught fire beneath it at Frankfurt Airport. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. local time during a routine repositioning maneuver. The aircraft, registered as D-AIFA and adorned in Star Alliance livery, was being towed from maintenance facilities to a departure gate in preparation for Flight LH426 to Philadelphia.
Incident Details
The fire originated from the towing vehicle, operated by Lufthansa LEOS, a subsidiary responsible for ground handling services. As flames engulfed the tug, they quickly spread to the aircraft’s nose section, resulting in visible charring and smoke damage. Emergency services responded promptly, extinguishing the fire and preventing further escalation.
AIRLIVE
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was unoccupied, with no passengers or crew on board. However, ten individuals, including ground personnel and firefighters, were treated for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, there were no serious injury reports
Operational Impact
Despite the severity of the incident, Frankfurt Airport operations remained largely unaffected. A replacement aircraft was arranged for Flight LH426, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 minutes. The damaged A340-300, delivered in 2000 and named “Dorsten,” is currently under inspection to assess the extent of the damage and determine its future serviceability
Investigation and Safety Measures
The exact cause of the towing vehicle’s fire remains under investigation. Lufthansa Technik, responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance, is collaborating with relevant authorities to ascertain the root cause and implement necessary safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols during ground operations at airports. While the rapid response of emergency services mitigated potential risks, the event serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in aviation ground handling and the continuous need for vigilance and preventive measures.
