A cargo plane apparently dumped 80 tons of kerosene over the Palatinate Forest. The Belgian Challenge Airlines machine started in Liège and turned around in front of the Alps.
Braunschweig – The cargo plane made several loops over the Palatinate and Saarland, as reported by Südwestrundfunk (SWR). The citizens’ initiative against aircraft noise, ground noise and environmental pollution from Kaiserslautern expressed the suspicion that the machine had drained fuel.
Federal Aviation Authority confirms release of 80 tons of kerosene
The Federal Aviation Authority (LBA) in Braunschweig has now confirmed this suspicion. On the list of cases of fuel dumping (in German: drain fuel) in German airspace, the authority lists a fuel dump over southern Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland on March 2. According to the LBA, the machine released 80 tons of fuel at an altitude of around six kilometers above southern Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. The reason: “technical problems”.
Fuel dumping – cargo plane probably had technical problems
In the list “Publication of fuel discharges (fuel dumping) in German airspace” from January 1, 2018, the incident with the serial no. 88. : “02.03.2022 (date), Z (Z for civil), southern Rhineland-Palatinate – Saarland (area), FL200 (flight altitude), 80t (fuel quantity), technical problems (reasons).
According to data from flightradar24 , the machine started in Liège on Monday with the destination Wuhan (China). As the SWR reports, it should be a Boeing 747 from the Belgian Challenge Airlines. Shortly before crossing the Alps, the pilot turned around and flew back towards Liège. He did several laps over the Palatinate.
Maneuver dump fuel only warranted in an emergency
The fuel dump is an emergency measure that is only used in exceptional situations. According to the LBA, it is required when an aircraft takes off with a higher than permitted landing weight and a problem occurs that requires the aircraft to land directly.
According to the LBA, technical faults, for example in engines, electrical systems or bird strikes, as well as medical emergencies on board. What is behind the “fuel dumping” on Wednesday over the Palatinate Forest is initially unclear. However, kerosene has not been sprayed over Germany in this quantity for more than three years.
Is fuel dumping harmful to the environment?
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has examined the effects of fuel dumps on people and the environment and published a corresponding report. According to the report, “according to current knowledge, there are no critical environmental impacts of fuel dumps on soil, groundwater, air and human health.” However, the authors suggest using different airspaces and maintaining a minimum altitude of 10,000 feet for the fuel dump.
Lufthansa machine from Munich in spectacular low flight: the plane has to turn back after problems. The plane made a few laps over Franz Josef Strauss Airport. (ml/dpa) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
