Why planes must dump fuel before emergency landing as Delta incident leaves 60 people needing treatment – The Sun

A DELTA flight was forced to dump fuel while making an emergency landing earlier this week, resulting in a number of injuries after the liquid fell on a school.

But why do planes need to fuel dump before landing?

Why do planes have too much fuel in the first place?

Before taking off, airlines calculate how much fuel is needed for the flight to complete the journey.

This can depend on whether it is a short or long haul flight.

By the time the plane has landed, the aircraft is much lighter having expended the fuel.

Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Cockpit Confidential, previously told the Telegraph: "The maximum weight for takeoff is often considerably greater than the maximum weight for landing."

When do they have to fuel dump?

If a plane needs to make an emergency, unscheduled landing ahead of their planned landing time, then a full tank of fuel may make them too heavy.

According to Boeing: "An overweight landing is defined as a landing made at a gross weight in excess of the maximum design (i.e., structural) landing weight for a particular model."

What happens a plane doesn't dump fuel?

Problems which can be faced include an overload on the landing gear, or the plane taking too long to decelerate, running the risk of overshooting the runway.

Pilots must then make the decision on whether to burn or release fuel to be able to land safely, or to risk an overweight landing.

BALPA Head of Flight Safety Rob Hunter, said: "The decision to dump fuel is not a simple one and the reasons as to how, and when, this is necessary depends on what is wrong with the aircraft.

"If you need to land urgently – for example, if the aircraft is on fire – then it’s possible to land whatever the weight, however, landing above maximum weight introduces further hazards.

"The pilot has to assess the various risks and options and make a decision based on safety of the passengers."

Not all aircraft are able to fuel dump – the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 cannot, meaning they will have to either circle overheard to burn it off or land overweight.

If it is an emergency situation, they the former option may not be possible.

The Boeing 747 as well as the Airbus A340 and A380 can release fuel.

How does it work?

The aircraft uses their fuel jettison systems to release the petrol from the wings.

Pilots are able to control how much fuel is being released so that when the plane reaches a safer weight, they can shut the pipes off and land.

Most flights will be high enough that when the fuel is dumped, it won't affect people on the ground, or will be over remote areas.

Patrick added: "It doesn't reach the ground in liquid form or come raining down on people."

This wasn't the case in the incident of Delta, who was low enough that the petrol landed on the ground and on a nearby school.

An investigation has been launched after approximately 60 people were hit with the liquid form of the fuel, and were treated with soap and water after having minor skin and lung irritation.

Last year, a pilot was forced to dump £60,000 of fuel shortly after taking off from London Heathrow after a cargo door issue.

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