Singapore Airlines Airbus collapses onto nosegear at gate

A Singapore Airlines Airbus has collapsed onto its nose while sitting on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore.

The incident occurred when the nose gear of the Airbus A330-300 "retracted while the aircraft was undergoing a landing gear system check", the Associated Press reports.

"There were no passengers or crew on board at the time," a statement from Singapore Airlines said.

"One engineer who was on the aircraft was not injured.

"Singapore Airlines will be cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigations."

Photos taken by passengers at the airport show the jet nose-down with a maintenance ladder crushed underneath it.

Singapore Airlines says damage to the plane will be assessed once it is removed from the gate.