In an incident at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in Texas, USA, highly flammable jet fuel rapidly spread around an aircraft on the tarmac after a ground handling worker lost control of the refuelling hose.
The incident occurred on Saturday during refuelling of an American Eagle aircraft parked at a gate in Terminal E at DFW Airport.
Confirming the accident, American Airlines stated: “We are investigating the incident together with DFW Airport and refuelling company Menzies. The clean-up procedures were carried out in accordance with protocol.”
Footage Went Viral on Social Media
Videos shared on social media show the moment when a ground service employee lets go of the refuelling hose, causing fuel to spray uncontrollably from beneath the aircraft as the hose flails across the ground, creating a violent burst.
Footage also shows the worker attempting to move away from the area as the fuel spreads rapidly.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with many users pointing out the importance of strict safety protocols.
DFW Airport: “Our Spill Prevention System Activated Immediately”
A DFW Airport spokesperson commented on the incident, saying:
“The airport’s spill prevention infrastructure detected the incident immediately. The surface fuel was cleaned up, and all necessary safety measures were applied,” the spokesperson said.
They also emphasised that no injuries or disruptions to flight operations occurred.
Statement Expected from Menzies Aviation
Menzies Aviation, the company responsible for the refuelling, had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Experts noted that the incident once again highlighted the importance of the human factor in refuelling procedures.
Safety Measures to Be Reviewed
Following the incident, American Airlines announced that it has launched an internal investigation to review both the inspection processes for refuelling equipment and personnel training protocols.
The company plans to conduct coordinated safety audits with DFW Airport management to prevent similar incidents in the future.
