Children and teachers leaving school after fuel fell on them

Prepared by: Mustafa Al-Zaabi

Delta Airlines has agreed to pay $79 million to settle a class-action lawsuit related to an incident in 2020 when one of its planes dumped 15,000 gallons of jet fuel over a residential area and schools in the Cudahy neighborhood of Los Angeles, injuring 56 people, including students and teachers.

Flight 89, traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai, experienced an engine malfunction shortly after takeoff, forcing the crew to dump fuel to reduce the aircraft’s weight.

The fuel fell on five elementary schools, including Park Avenue School, causing skin and respiratory irritation and a choking fuel smell among students and teachers. Some reported symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. The injured were treated on-site without hospital admission.

Affected teachers filed a lawsuit claiming they inhaled fumes and were exposed to jet fuel on their skin and clothing. Later, local residents and homeowners joined the class-action suit.

In court documents, the company defended the pilot’s decision, stating that fuel dumping was necessary to avoid a risky landing with a damaged engine. However, the company stated it does not admit any liability or negligence despite agreeing to the settlement and is prepared to defend its position if the case is appealed.