The crew of Delta Flight 89 did not tell air traffic controllers they needed to dump fuel before doing so shortly before noon on Tuesday, Jan. 14, resulting in skin irritation and other minor injuries to more than 60 children and staffers at a handful of Los Angeles-area schools, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said on Wednesday.
The FAA is “thoroughly investigating” the circumstances of the fuel dump, the statement said.
“Air crews will typically notify air traffic control of an emergency and indicate they need to dump fuel,” the FAA said in a statement. “Air traffic controllers will then direct the plane to the appropriate fuel-dumping area.
...
The Boeing 777-200, heading to Shanghai on Tuesday, experienced a compressor stall in its right engine as it climbed to 8,000 feet shortly after takeoff, according to audio of the air traffic radio communications.
A compressor stall occurs when airflow into a jet engine is no longer smooth from the front to the rear, according to Aaron Green, a pilot with a major commercial airline. Compressor stalls can result in explosions and visible flames from the engine, possibly causing the engine to break apart, he said.
...
To reduce weight, pilots are advised to dump fuel over non-populated areas and above 5,000 feet so the fuel will vaporize — or atomize — before hitting the ground, he said.
“My guess is the airplane wasn’t doing what they wanted to, so they decided to dump fuel,” he said, adding that pilots do not need permission to release fuel, but typically advise air traffic control of their intentions.
...
In the radio communication from Tuesday, the Delta flight crew is heard requesting an immediate return to LAX after the engine compressor stall was detected.
“Bring you back to LAX immediately or do you need to hold to burn fuel?” an air traffic controller is heard asking. “You tell me what you need to do.”
The pilot replied that there was a compressor stall, according to the audio.
“We got it back under control,” the pilot said. “We’re going to come back to LAX. We’re not critical.”
The controller then asked if the plane needed to dump fuel or “anything like that.”
“Negative,” the pilot said.
...
“The aircraft landed safely after a release of fuel, which was required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight,” the airline said. “Delta is in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the LA County Fire Department, as well as community leaders, and shares concerns regarding reports of minor injuries to adults and children at schools in the area.”
...
More:
https://www.dailynews.com/2020/01/15...trol-faa-said/
Connect With Us