The reason I ask is there must be an environmental impact of dumping fuel over populated areas such as Richmond/Kew near Heathrow but I have never heard any reports of peoples cars being covered in kerosene or gardens lawns being killed off!
2006-10-15 20:38:07 · 23 answers · asked by StuartB 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
The only time airplanes dump fuel is when they are in an emergency situation and they need to reduce their weight because their current weight is greater than their maximum landing weight. Interestingly, on most large airplanes, the maximum landing weight is less than the maximum takeoff weight.
Again, however, they are only going to do this in an emergency situation. During the pre-flight process they plan for normal operations, which means that they are planning on burning off enough fuel during the course of the flight that they will be at or below their maximum landing weight by the time they land. However, if an airplane has an engine fire or some other malfunction before reaching their maximum landing weight, such as during takeoff, then they will dump fuel.
When you dump fuel you should tell ATC if you can. They will mark their radar scope and keep other airplanes away because the airborne fuel creates a hazard for the other airplanes. Some countries require you to submit a written report if you dump fuel there detailing your emergency, reason for dumping fuel, where you dumped the fuel, how much you dumped, etc.
2006-10-16 09:21:36 · answer #1 · answered by Kelley S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They only dump fuel in emergencies. On the occasion that an aircraft has a major failure shortly after take-off, the aircraft heads out to sea, dumps the fuel, then comes in for an emergency landing.
The reasons for this are as follows:
1. If the aircraft lands with full fuel tanks, the landing will be unnecessarily heavy, causing airframe damage (especially with external fuel tanks, or "drop tanks")
2. As it's an emergency, if the aircraft were to crash on landing, there is a greater chance of fire and explosion with full tanks. Also, the environment would be damaged more if the aircraft exploded, what with all of the chemicals in aircraft.
They drop the fuel over the sea as it's the safest option. Besides, it doesn't happen very often.
2006-10-16 03:44:02 · answer #2 · answered by genghis41f 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(repeat from this same question 2 days ago!)
Quick summary: Yes some larger aircraft have fuel dump valves (and pumps) for emergencies. They do not do this unless it is an emergency.
They have these because most planes take off with more weight than they can land with. Not all planes have the this capability and would need to orbit until enough fuel is burned off to safely land (the A300 for example this is optional). The 105% ratio requirement is very complicated and generally not required due to better engine performance (FAR 25.119-25.121 I think) and the real lack of adherence based on configuration and load dependencies.
2006-10-16 02:22:20 · answer #3 · answered by Drewpie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This RARELY happens. Under normal circumstances the aircraft will arrive at destination under its maximum landing weight. However in an emergency if they need to land sooner than expected SOME (not all) airplanes have the ability to dump fuel. Planes that can't dump, fly around until they are light enough to land. Fuel is EXPENSIVE! The last thing the airlines want to do is waste it by dumping it overboard.
2006-10-16 08:13:49 · answer #4 · answered by danl747 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some Airbus planes don't have the ability to dump fuel. There was an emergency landing in Los Angeles not too long ago when an Airbus plane's landing gear didn't fold-up properly. Because they couldn't dump fuel, they had to (I'm not kidding here) fly around Southern California for three hours while they burned off their fuel. The pilot did an excellent job of landing with the front gear still locked with the wheels turned sideways. I'm sure it was a lot of fun flying around for three hours while waiting to make an emergency landing. Nice job Airbus.
2006-10-15 21:05:18 · answer #5 · answered by Good Times, Happy Times... 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They cant do this. Only in emergency cases where they would perform an emergency landing they dump the fuel on board to have a light aircraft during landing. Fuel dumping is usually done over water area.
2006-10-15 21:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by ZUS 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Although it is technically possible to dump fuel on some aircraft, this is strictly an emergency procedure. Fuel is NEVER routinely dumped from in-flight aircraft. On the extremely rare occasion that it is dumped, it is only dumped over unpopulated areas, typically over open ocean where the environmental impact is minimal.
2006-10-15 22:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this only happens if the plane thinks it's going to have a crash landing and thus dumps as much fuel as possible to reduce the fire hazard. This is not done normally. Dumping usually occurs out at sea or over unpopulated areas. Sometimes however it just can't be helped. However you'll probably be reimbursed by the airline for your trouble.
2006-10-16 07:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by brian L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A commercial aircraft's maximum allowable landing weight is usually less than its maximum take-off weight.
It would only be in the event of an emergency landing shortly after take-off that fuel would be jettisoned, because otherwise the landing itself would be dangerous. The fuel would not be dumped over a built-up area.
2006-10-15 22:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by aarcue 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is done only as a safety precaution if the plane is in trouble,to reduce the explosion factor. The price of kerosene is so expensive that aircraft will never dump fuel unless it,s to do with safety . When they do dump it it evaporates, because it,s so high up.
2006-10-19 00:44:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋