Do commercial planes dump fuel?

A pilot will choose to dump fuel only on very rare occasions. In the case of an emergency situation the flight crew can decide to dump, dirty up the plane or land heavy. The dumped fuel evaporates before it hits the ground. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Do all planes dump fuel before landing?

While fuel dumps don’t happen every day, they’re also not uncommon. Nor do they usually represent a major emergency. In fact if an aircraft is taking the time to dump fuel before landing, that’s likely an indication that the issue forcing the plane to land is serious but not critical.

Can a Boeing 737 dump fuel?

But as the Boeing info shows, none of the 737 versions have fuel dump capability. That regulation was amended in 1968 to allow a plane to not have a fuel dump system as long as it can meet certain performance requirements. The current version of the regulation includes this as well.

Why do some aircraft have fuel jettison systems?

A Fuel Dumping system may be required on these aircraft to allow fuel to be jettisoned in flight to avoid structural damage caused by landing the aircraft when it is too heavy.

Can a Boeing 777 dump fuel?

Based on the request to return immediately, it is doubtful if they dumped fuel. After the engine suffered the uncontained failure, there was a significant vibration which would have encouraged an immediate return and landing.

When would a fuel jettison system be required for small aircraft?

FAR 25.1001 — Requires a fuel jettison system unless it can be shown that the airplane meets the climb requirements of FAR 25.119 and 25.121(d) at maximum takeoff weight, less the actual or computed weight of fuel necessary for a 15-minute flight comprising a takeoff, go-around, and landing at the airport of departure.

Do all aircraft have fuel dump systems?

Jets flying with US airlines in the 1950s and early 1960s tended to have fuel dump systems but today, a lot of planes do not have this feature as they are designed with possible overweight landings in mind. For example, a Boeing 757 has no fuel dump capability as its maximum landing weight is similar to its maximum take-off weight.

What is a fuel dump nozzle on a plane?

Fuel dump nozzle of an Airbus A340-300. Fuel dumping (or a fuel jettison) is a procedure used by aircraft in certain emergency situations before a return to the airport shortly after takeoff, or before landing short of its intended destination (emergency landing) to reduce the aircraft’s weight.

Why do some planes dump excess fuel when landing?

As such, landing with that extra weight could cause damage to the aircraft. To avoid this and maximise passenger safety, some aircrafts can dump excess fuel.

Can a Boeing 757 dump fuel?

For example, a Boeing 757 has no fuel dump capability as its maximum landing weight is similar to its maximum take-off weight. When there is a need and capacity to proceed with fuel dumping this is coordinated with air traffic control, and precautions are taken to keep other aircraft clear of such areas.