Aircraft dumped fuel on schools in Los Angeles: 60 injured

The plane, returning to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday, January 14, in the morning, dumped fuel on the school grounds. It fell on several students. Writes about it LA Times.

Фото: Depositphotos

Flight 89 Delta Boeing 777 took off from LAX with more than 140 passengers on board and headed for Shanghai, but due to technical problems, he had to return to the departure airport.

“Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from Los Angeles to Shanghai experienced an engine problem that required the aircraft to quickly return to the airport,” Delta said in a statement. — The aircraft landed safely after expelling fuel, which was required as part of normal procedure to achieve a safe landing weight. "Delta is in communication with Los Angeles World Airports and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, as well as community leaders, and shares concerns regarding reports of minor injuries to adults and children at schools in the area."

The aircraft is 20 years old, and it operates daily flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai. In recent weeks, the plane has flown from Los Angeles to Paris and Tokyo.

According to Flightradar24, the aircraft did not rise above 8000 feet (2,4 km). At an altitude of about 2300 feet (0,7 km), he dumped fuel. At this time, the plane flew over the schools. The flight lasted about 25 minutes.

“A compressor, 181 people on board, and fuel shutdown was reported for 12 hours,” a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesman said.

On the subject: Calm and clean: why the seats on the plane are blue

When the aircraft engine compressor stalls, it can lead to loss of air flow through the engine, which can cause it to malfunction.

Passenger Tim Lefebvre, a bass player heading to China for concerts, sat in front of the plane and heard loud popping sounds.

“It was right next to me,” Lefebvre said. “I knew it wasn’t good.” The pilot said a couple of minutes later that we were heading back to LAX and that was it.”

The pilot told the passengers that there was a problem with the engine, but they should not worry. But Lefebvre noticed that the stewardess was worried.

“Imagine if we were over the Pacific Ocean at a great distance,” Lefebvre said. “That would be very bad.”

In total, assistance was provided to 60 victims, of which at least 20 were children. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said more than 70 firefighters and paramedics went to Park Elementary School, where 20 children and 11 adults received minor injuries.

In addition, six people were affected in Tweedy Elementary School and six in San Gabriel Elementary School, as well as one adult in Graham Elementary School.

LAFD spokesman Nicholas Page said two classes were outside the school building during the fuel spill. Students and staff were instructed to stay indoors for a while.

On the subject: 20 facts about planes that will help get rid of the fear of flying

Joshua Burgos, a sixth-grader in Park Avenue Elementary School, was doing outdoor exercise when the plane dumped fuel. An 11-year-old class student, Mariana de la Torre, looked up and saw a plane.

“We went out and played. Soon they felt something similar to rain. Everyone started running away when they found out it was fuel,” said one of the students.

A man who lives across the street from the main entrance to the school went outside to assess the situation and watch the crowd of media, firefighters and police. Then he returned to his apartment to close all the windows.

Sixth-grader Miguel Cervantes was one of several students who attended physical education classes on the street.

“I saw the plane and thought it was smoking,” Miguel said. “Then, as it got closer, I realized it was fuel and some of it got on me.” An hour later the boy was sent home.

"Only a small amount of fuel got on my son's clothes and hands, but we washed everything with soap and changed clothes and he seems okay," said Ana Cervantes, Miguel's mother.

Cervantes is not going to destroy the clothes of his son.

“These are expensive clothes, we just wash them in soap and water,” she said.

Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, said fuel dumping is very rare and is only used in emergency situations or when pilots must achieve a safe landing weight.

“Most pilots prefer not to dump fuel unless necessary,” Eimer said.

A possible emergency is an inoperative landing gear, which would otherwise make it difficult to control the aircraft.

When pilots dump fuel, they tend to try to do it at an altitude of over 10 feet (000 km), but ideally this should be done higher. Having made a fuel dump, the pilot may have made a mistake.

“I don’t remember anyone dumping fuel near settlements,” he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating this case.

“There are special fuel dumping procedures for aircraft flying to and from any major airport in the United States. These procedures require fuel to be released into designated uninhabited areas, typically at high altitudes, so that the fuel is atomized and dispersed before it reaches the ground,” officials said in a statement.

Douglas Moss, a retired aviation consultant and pilot at United Airlines, believes the ocean could be such a deserted area.

“To make an emergency landing, the pilot will try to reduce the weight of the aircraft to landing weight so that if the landing attempt fails, there will be more options. How and where the release occurs depends on the type of emergency, said Tom Hauter, former director of the National Transportation Safety Board's Office of Aviation Safety.

On the subject: Coin in the engine for good luck: how much can such a joke with a plane

Pilots warn air traffic controllers about an emergency fuel dump, and they direct the plane. Discharge, as a rule, occurs at a sufficient height so that the fuel evaporates before reaching the ground. But if a serious emergency arises, plans may change.

In an emergency, the pilot is authorized to violate any rule. He still has to adhere to the rules, but in the interests of passenger safety, he can act situationally.

School officials demanded an explanation for the incident.

One of the schools is located near the city hall. The newly appointed mayor of Kudahi, Elizabeth Alcantar, said she was very upset because the children were in school.

For years, activists and city residents have fought to close a battery recycling plant in the industrial city of Vernon. The plant's emissions include arsenic and lead, a powerful neurotoxin that can cause cancer. Only five years ago the plant was closed.

The reason for the closure of the Park Avenue primary school in the 1990s was the tar-like oil sludge that began to seep out of the ground. The school was built on an old city landfill, which contained oil-contaminated soil and several pockets of tar-like oil sludge.

The jet fuel dumping incident and jet fuel dumping are environmental issues that are causing concern among residents.

“Unfortunately, this incident has negatively impacted our entire community, including dozens of children. I call for a full federal investigation into this matter,” said Cudahy City Councilman Jack Guerrero.

Shortly after the fuel was dumped, the Delta landed safely at LAX.

Read also on ForumDaily:

20 secrets that airport workers do not tell passengers

Calm and clean: why the seats on the plane are blue

Fatal Mistake History: Accidentally Downed Passenger Airliners

Flights in winter: how dangerous a slippery landing strip

How to place hand luggage on the plane so that it is convenient for everyone

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.