{"id":31078,"date":"2020-10-14T22:24:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T22:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dtla.peaceofcode.net\/?page_id=31078"},"modified":"2026-06-14T12:06:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:06:52","slug":"delta-flight-returning-to-lax-drops-jet-fuel-a-number-of-l-a-area-schools-affected","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/es\/practice-areas\/personal-injury\/delta-flight-returning-to-lax-drops-jet-fuel-a-number-of-l-a-area-schools-affected\/","title":{"rendered":"Noticias de \u00faltima hora: Un vuelo de Delta que regresaba al aeropuerto de Los \u00c1ngeles pierde combustible. Varias escuelas de la zona se ven afectadas."},"content":{"rendered":"

Breaking News: Delta Flight Returning to LAX Drops Jet Fuel \u2013 A Number of L.A.-Area Schools Affected<\/h1>\n
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Dozens of people, including students, were treated in the Los Angeles Area for minor injuries after an airplane with mechanical problems dumped jet fuel at a low altitude while returning to LAX for an emergency landing. The plane was identified as Delta Air Lines Flight 89 \u2013 a Boeing 777 on route to Shanghai. The incident occurred shortly before noon on Tuesday (January 14, 2020).<\/p>\n

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the incident was initially reported at Park Avenue Elementary School located in the 8000 block of Park Avenue in Cudahy (about 14 miles east of the airport). A total of thirty-one people \u2013 a combination of children and adults \u2013 complained of minor injuries as the airplane dropped fuel over the school\u2019s playground. All patients were treated on campus. Approximately seventy county firefighters and paramedics responded to this school.<\/p>\n

Park Avenue Elementary School was not the only school affected, however. Jordan High School (in the Florence-Firestone area) and 93rd Street Elementary School (in the Green Meadows area) were also affected. At these two schools, sixteen more people were treated for minor injuries.<\/p>\n

In South Gate, San Gabriel Avenue Elementary and Tweedy Elementary were also affected. Between these schools, an additional six people were treated for minor injuries<\/a>. At Graham Elementary, located in the Florence-Graham area just a short distance away \u2013 one other person received treatment for minor<\/a> injuries.<\/p>\n

One preschool in Downey, Gallatin Preschool, was also affected. Seven other people at the preschool received treatment for their minor injuries.<\/p>\n

Throughout all affected schools, a total of sixty-one people were affected (originally, this number was much lower at forty-two). Luckily, no one suffered any injuries that required transportation to a hospital<\/a>. The minor injuries suffered by all affected parties were treated at the campuses. The injuries consisted of skin irritation, eye irritation, and sore throat (likely from breathing in the fumes of the fuel).<\/p>\n

Although no evacuations were ordered because of the incident, the Los Angeles Unified School District\u2019s Office of Environment Health and Safety was dispatched.<\/p>\n

The incident has left the community complaining of the fuel\u2019s odor. The community in Cudahy has even found that they could rub off fuel residue left on their cars with their fingers. The fire department, however, has stated that they have not found any unsafe levels of chemicals in the air. Regardless, the Department of Public Health has urged residents to avoid any direct contact with fuel residue (i.e. do not use fingers to rub it off cars).<\/p>\n

LAUSD has dispatched its Office of Environmental Health and Safety to the schools affected by the incident.<\/p>\n

After the incident, Delta released the following statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cShortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return quickly to LAX. The aircraft landed safely after a release of fuel, which was required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight. We are in touch with Los Angeles Word Airports and the LA County Fire Department and share concerns regarding reported minor injuries<\/a> to adults and children at [the schools] in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Federal Aviation Administration also released a statement. The Federal Aviation Administration states that \u201cfuel [must] be dumped over designated unpopulated areas.\u201d According to the statement, a release of fuel at high altitudes allows \u201cthe fuel to [atomize] and [disperse] before it reaches the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

The incident has shaken the community and made rise to many questions. Specifically, many people want to know how this incident<\/a> happen and whether anyone could be held accountable. If you or a member of your family suffered any type of harm related to this incident, you might have grounds to pursue a claim. For more information, it is essential that you seek legal assistance with the experts at Downtown L.A. Law Group as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to evaluate your claim and provide<\/a> you with the guidance that you need to take legal action for the harm suffered.<\/p>\n

What Led to this Incident?<\/h2>\n

What happened? What led to the incident? According to reports, the Boeing 777 bound for Shanghai took off from LAX when it suddenly began experiencing engine problems, forcing it to return to the airport. According to reports, there was an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight; the aircraft landed safely at the airport.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt that the fuel was released as a necessary response to an emergency; however, could the emergency have been avoided if the issue had been caught before takeoff?<\/p>\n

The community has been left with the following questions:<\/p>\n