Jumbo jet loses thrust reverser while landing in Germany

Frankfurt - A thrust reverser broke off a jumbo jet while it was landing Sunday at Frankfurt international airport in Germany, but the plane came to a safe stop. Police said it was not known at first why the device, part of the left inboard engine, had detached itself. The Boeing 747 cargo jet was arriving on a flight from Dubai.

The pilot only noticed a jolt, but a flight-control tower officer saw the 6.41 am incident and immediately closed Frankfurt's south runway for the debris to be cleared, police said.

Other take-offs and landings proceeded with no delays, airport officials said.

Reverse-thrust ducts are used to direct power forward and reduce a jet plane's speed after it touches down.

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