Boeing 787-8, G-ZBJB: Anniversary Statement

This statement provides an update on the ongoing AAIB investigation into an accident involving a Boeing 787-8 whilst parked on stand at London Heathrow Airport on 18 June 2021.

A pre-departure maintenance task required the landing gear doors to be cycled. To achieve this the landing gear had to be selected up while the aircraft was on the ground. To prevent the landing gear from retracting when up was selected and to ensure only the landing gear doors would operate, the landing gear downlock pins were fitted. However, when the landing gear lever was moved to up, the nose landing gear (NLG) retracted, and the aircraft’s nose struck the ground causing significant damage to the lower front section of the aircraft and inflicting minor injuries to one of the cargo loading team.

The investigation identified that the NLG downlock pin had inadvertently been inserted in the downlock link assembly apex pin bore instead of the downlock pin hole. The AAIB published Special Bulletin S1/2021 on 14 July 2021 highlighting earlier events of inadvertent NLG retraction, a Boeing Service Bulletin (B787-81205-SB320040-00) designed to prevent incorrect installation of the NLG downlock pin, an FAA Airworthiness Directive which mandated the installation of the Service Bulletin and the initial steps taken by the operator to prevent recurrence. The operator has now completed incorporation of the Service Bulletin.

The investigation continues and will consider the safety procedures associated with landing gear maintenance, and the factors which may have contributed to the NLG downlock pin being incorrectly installed in the apex pin inner bore. A final report will be published in due course.