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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 15 January 2020

Jet dumps fuel that lands on

schoolkids near Los Angeles

By STEFANIE DAZIO release details about the complaining of "skin irrita-
Associated Press engine problem. The Fed- tion or breathing problems"
CUDAHY, Calif. (AP) — A eral Aviation Administra- and that its environmental
mist of fuel dumped by tion said it is investigating. health and safety office
an airliner with an engine "There are special fuel- also responded.
problem as it made an dumping procedures for Park Avenue sixth-grader
emergency return to Los aircraft operating into Diego Martinez said he
Angeles International Air- and out of any major U.S. and his classmates were
port fell on several schools airport," the FAA said in a outside for physical edu- In this photo from video, Delta Air Lines Flight 89 to Shanghai,
Tuesday, causing minor skin statement. cation class when they China, dumps fuel over Los Angeles before returning to Los
and lung irritation to 56 chil- "These procedures call for saw the airplane flying low Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.
dren and adults, officials fuel to be dumped over overhead. q Associated Press
said. designated unpopulated
The fuel sprayed out of the areas, typically at higher
plane in two lines and the altitudes so the fuel atom-
strong-smelling vapor de- izes and disperses before it
scended at midday in the reaches the ground."
city of Cudahy and nearby The FlightAware website's
parts of Los Angeles Coun- flight track showed the jet
ty, about 13 miles (21 kilo- took off over the ocean
meters) east of the airport. and made an immediate
The vapor fell on five el- right turn toward land and
ementary schools, but all circled back over Southern
injuries were minor and no California to approach the
one was taken to hospitals, airport from the east.
Los Angeles County Fire Delta said it was in touch
Department Inspector Sky with the airport and Fire De-
Cornell said. It didn't force partment and shared "con-
any evacuations. cerns regarding reported
"That's a great sign," Cornell minor injuries to adults and
said. People were treated children."
with soap and water, Fire The Los Angeles Unified
Inspector Henry Narvaez School District said its Park
said. Avenue Elementary cam-
Shortly after takeoff, Delta pus in Cudahy and 93rd
Air Lines Flight 89 to Shang- Street Elementary had "di-
hai "experienced an en- rect impacts from the fuel."
gine issue requiring the Cornell said 31 children
aircraft to return quickly to and adults were affected
LAX. at Park Avenue, and 12
The aircraft landed safely at 93rd Street. The rest of
after release of fuel, which those affected were at
was required as part of nor- other schools.
mal procedure to reach a The school district said in
safe landing weight," the a statement that para-
company said in a state- medics were immediately
ment. The airline did not called to treat anyone