Airport Worker Causes Major Fuel Leak at JFK After Driving Off With Hose Attached
An Air China Boeing 747-8 bound for China experienced a significant fuel leak at New York's JFK Airport after a refuelling truck drove away with a hose still connected, forcing the cancellation of a flight.
A large volume of jet fuel spilled onto the tarmac at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after an airport worker drove a refuelling truck away while a fuel hose remained attached to an Air China Boeing 747-8.
The incident occurred in the early hours of August 31, as the aircraft prepared for its scheduled 2:05 a.m. departure to Beijing.
Video footage of the event shows a white refuelling truck moving from under the aircraft's wing, dislodging the hose and causing a substantial amount of fuel to pour onto the ground. The truck operator eventually stopped nearby, and another airport employee approached the plane while fuel continued to leak.
Air China confirmed that the refuelling truck "moved abnormally" during ground operations. The airline stated that the leak caused damage to components, making the flight unserviceable.
The flight, which had arrived at JFK the previous evening, was subsequently cancelled. Passengers were reportedly accommodated through contingency arrangements. While the full extent of the damage has not been publicly detailed by Air China, reports suggest that two hoses were still connected when the truck moved, tearing them from their connections and damaging the aircraft's fuel ports.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fuel spill. The affected Boeing 747-8, with registration B-2486, has since returned to service, having operated passenger flights, including a journey from New York to Beijing on September 25.
The incident has drawn reactions on social media, with some users expressing disbelief and others commenting on the potential safety implications for ground crews.