Can planes dump fuel mid air?

It would seem strange that pilots would purposefully dump fuel from their aircraft at a time when fuel prices have skyrocketed. What's more bizarre is that they do it in the air while flying. Tossing fuel into the air is a safe procedure for a good reason. Additionally, it is not as wasteful as it seems.



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In most cases, airlines only dump air in midair immediately before landing. They don't do it before or during takeoff, nor do they do it halfway through their flight. Rather, airlines may dump some of their airplane's excess fuel immediately before landing so that it lowers the weight of their aircraft.

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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 the intended destination (emergency landing) to reduce the aircraft's weight.

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Can Boeing 737 dump fuel? No, it has no equipment to dump fuel. Simplified reason: Fuel dump equipment is only required when the Maximum Takeoff Weight and Maximum Landing Weight differ by more than 105%.

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Also, not all planes have the capability of dumping fuel. But big ones like the 747, 787, or A380 can release it from their wingtips.

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The stall is a breakdown of the smooth airflow over the wing into a turbulent one, resulting in a decrease in lift. The lift will no longer fully support the aeroplane's weight, and the aeroplane sinks.

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If the aircraft tried to land without dumping the fuel first, it is considered an overweight landing attempt and could place immense stress on the airframe. It could also increase the risk of fire and fuel leaking onto the tarmac.

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Over a certain altitude it is always considered safe to dump fuel. The high speed of the airplane means the fuel is spread very thin and will evaporate before it hits the ground. Accidents do of course happen where it is not possible to safely dump fuel and they end up dumping over populated areas.

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Not all planes are capable of dumping fuel. Boeing's 747 and 777 both have the ability to jettison kerosine, as has the Airbus A380 and an A330. However, regional jets such as a Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 can not.

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While most people think driving a car is better for the environment than flying in an airplane, that's not necessarily true because airplane engines are getting much more efficient.

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On December 16, 1960, a United Airlines Douglas DC-8 bound for Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) in New York City collided in midair with a TWA Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation descending toward LaGuardia Airport.

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Asiana Airlines told CNN: ?The airplane is automatically set to adjust the pressure of the cabin according to the altitude of the aircraft. When the aircraft is high up in the air, it is impossible to open the door but when the altitude is low and close to landing, the door can be opened.?

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CBS News reported that, based on the expert opinion of a former Boeing 777 captain, Flight 89 would have likely dumped 15,000–20,000 US gallons (12,000–17,000 imp gal; 57,000–76,000 L) of fuel. Shortly after completing the fuel dump, the aircraft landed safely.

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If fuel dumping is ever required (a very rare thing) - it's usually dumped over the sea or in unpopulated areas, and above 5000' so it completely evaporated and does not hit the ground.

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The maximum landing weight (MLW) is the maximum aircraft gross weight due to design or operational limitations at which an aircraft is permitted to land. The MLW is set in order to ensure safe landings; if an aircraft weighs too heavy during touchdown, it may suffer structural damage or even break apart upon landing.

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