A Fuel Spill at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport
A shocking incident occurred at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport when a ground worker accidentally drenched the runway with jet fuel while refueling an American Eagle aircraft. The event was captured on camera and quickly gained attention due to its potential dangers.
The video, which surfaced on Friday, shows the moment the worker lost control of the refueling hose, causing a significant amount of highly flammable liquid to spill onto the runway beneath the aircraft. Witnesses reported that the worker had just completed refueling the jet but lost control of the hose while attempting to disconnect it from the aircraft.
The footage captures the worker’s surprise as fuel spouted from the hose, with the worker appearing to wipe his face after the hose began moving uncontrollably across the tarmac. The fuel continued to spray for approximately a minute before the worker managed to turn off the flow.
Emergency crews were called to the scene and worked to clear the fuel using special absorbent materials. Nearby gates were temporarily paused while the spill was being contained, though no injuries or damages were reported.
American Airlines, which owns some carriers operating under the American Eagle brand, released a statement regarding the incident. The airline mentioned that they were aware of a fueling issue that occurred on October 10 involving an American Eagle aircraft parked at the gate in Terminal E. While the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, the airline stated that they are investigating the matter in collaboration with DFW Airport and the airport’s fueling contractor, Menzies.
Online discussions have speculated about the possible causes of the spill. Some theories suggest that the incident may have been caused by a fault with the dead man’s switch, a safety feature designed to stop the flow of fuel. Others pointed out that the hose appeared to have detached from the nozzle, which was still attached to the aircraft.
One user on a Reddit thread commented: “If you look closely, the single point receptacle is still attached. He was messing with the clicky rings.” They also noted that the hose cart operator is supposed to be holding a deadman switch, which stops the flow of fuel when released. “All you do is let go and it stops. Which means someone was probably overriding safety procedures,” they added.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Menzies for further comments. The incident highlights the importance of following strict safety protocols during fueling operations, as even minor mistakes can lead to significant risks.
This event adds to a series of recent incidents involving American Airlines and other airlines, including:
- How did frantic passengers survive the American Airlines fuel leak fiasco on Labor Day weekend?
- Why did a Qantas flight unexpectedly circle the skies with fuel dumping drama before landing safely?
- Why did an Etihad jet end up surrounded by fire trucks on the tarmac, leaving travelers shocked?
- Why were American Airlines passengers startled by flames streaking from the engine over Las Vegas?
- Flood chaos at 30,000 feet: How passengers reacted to American Airlines’ sky-high leak disaster?