A refueling truck at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York caused a substantial fuel leak after driving away while still attached to an Air China Boeing 747-8. The incident occurred on August 31 as the aircraft prepared for its scheduled departure to Beijing.
Footage of the event shows a white refuelling truck moving from beneath the aircraft's wing, leading to a cascade of fuel pouring onto the tarmac. The truck eventually stopped nearby, and the driver exited the vehicle. Another ground crew member approached the aircraft as fuel continued to escape.
Air China confirmed that the truck "moved abnormally" during ground operations. Reports suggest that two hoses remained connected to the aircraft when the truck began to move, resulting in the rupture of the connections and damage to the plane's fuel ports.
The flight, which was scheduled to depart at 2:05 a.m., was cancelled following the incident. Affected passengers were reportedly accommodated through contingency arrangements. Air China stated that components were damaged, preventing the flight from operating as planned.
While the full extent of the damage has not been publicly detailed by Air China, the aircraft involved, identified as B-2486, has since returned to service. Flight-tracking records indicate it operated several passenger services, including a flight from New York to Beijing on September 25.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fuel leak. The incident, however, drew commentary on social media, with users expressing bewilderment and concern over the operational error.