The Delta Airlines aircraft had to return to Los Angeles airport due to a mechanical problem. In a statement, the airline admitted that the plane released fuel to reduce the weight of the plane on landing.
The dumping of the fuel meant that about 60 people, mostly children, had to be assisted by skin irritation and breathing problems. No serious cases were reported, advances the BBC.
The spokeswoman for Federal Aviation AdministrationAllen Kenitzer stated that “the FAA is investigating thoroughly the circumstances that led to this incident. There are special procedures for pouring fuel from aircraft operating in and out of any US airport. ”
“These procedures require the fuel to be poured over designated unpopulated areas, usually at higher attitudes, so that the fuel disperses before it reaches the ground,” Kenitzer told Reuters.
According to BBC, aircraft used for long-haul flights often take off with more weight than the maximum allowable landing, due to the amount of fuel they carry.
However, with the fuel consumed during the flight, the weight is reduced.
When the flight is interrupted, the aircraft is still too heavy to land safely. In these chaos, the pilot may decide to dump fuel and to quickly reduce the weight of the aircraft.
In a statement, the airline states that it is investigating the issue and claims to be “in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the Los Angeles Fire Department, as well as community leaders, and shares concerns about reports of minor injuries in adults and children in schools in the region. ”
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