Dozens Injured After Jet Dumps Fuel On L.A. Schools During Midair Emergency

Dozens of people, including at least 20 children were injured when a Delta flight dumped jet fuel over Los Angeles. Delta Flight 89, was on its way to Shanghai when it experienced an engine issue shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport.

The plane had to turn around and head back to the airport but needed to dump fuel before it was safe to land. The pilot ended up dropping the fuel over a playground where children were outside playing.

"Students and staff were on the playground at the time and may have been sprayed by fuel or inhaled fumes," the Los Angeles Unified School District said. "Schools immediately called paramedics, who are on the scene and are treating anyone who is complaining of skin irritation or breathing problems."

Officials said that around 60 people from seven different schools in the area required medical attention after being exposed to the jet fuel and its fumes. The injuries were relatively minor and consisted of skin irritation and trouble breathing. Nobody required hospitalization, and officials do not expect anybody to suffer from side effects due to the exposure.

Authorities are investigating why the pilot dumped the fuel over a populated area. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are specific procedures that "call for fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas, typically at higher altitudes, so the fuel atomizes and disperses before it reaches the ground."

Videos taken of the plane dumping fuel appear to show the jet was at a low altitude as the pilot circled around the airport. It is unclear what type of engine problems the plane had or why the pilot decided to dump fuel over the densely populated area near the airport.


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