More than 50 people are treated for injuries after Delta Boeing 777 dumps jet fuel on California elementary schools during emergency landing at LAX
A Delta airlines plane returning to Los Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing dumped jet fuel on Tuesday afternoon, causing minor irritation for more than 50 children and adults at several elementary schools.
Shocking video shows two lines of fuel coming from the Boeing 777, which had been forced to turn back to the airport shortly after taking off for Shanghai due to 'an engine issue'.
Twenty children and 11 adults at Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy were exposed to the fuel on the playground, and treated at the scene for minor skin irritation and inhalation complaints.
The LA County Fire Department also reported treating patients at Tweedy Elementary, Graham Elementary, and San Gabriel Elementary. All patients were treated at the scene and declined transport to hospitals.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Delta said the jet experienced an engine issue shortly after takeoff, and dumped fuel in order to make a safe landing.
Delta Air Lines Flight 89 to Shanghai, China dumps fuel over Los Angeles before returning to Los Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing Tuesday
A girl covers her mouth and nose as parents and children leave school after jet fuel was dumped on Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy, California
Shocking video appears to shows two lines of fuel coming from the Boeing 777
The Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement that the incident happened at Park Avenue Elementary just before noon.
'Students and staff were on the playground at the time and may have been sprayed by fuel or inhaled fumes,' the district said.
Paramedics were immediately called to treat anyone complaining of 'skin irritation or breathing problems,' it said.
The LA county fire department said 17 children and six adults 'all complained of minor injuries' and were 'being triaged by LACoFD Paramedics and Firefighters'.
They added: 'All minor injuries w/ no transports to local hospital from school. There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL.'
A Delta spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX. The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight.'
Flight 89 to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX
The flight climbed to 7,775 feet before it began to descend three minutes into the flight, according to this chart of speed (yellow) and altitude (blue) above
Grandmother Teresa Santoya, left, consoles student Marianna Torres, 11, center, as she evacuates Park Avenue Elementary School after jet fuel fell on the school
A mother carries her son as they leave the Park Avenue Elementary School, which was evacuated after a LAX-bound aircraft dumped fuel over the school in Los Angeles
Firefighter/paramedics walk between a group of ambulances parked by Park Avenue Elementary School. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said firefighters assessed over a dozen children and several adults who complained of minor injuries from fuel exposure
Emergency crews at the scene Tuesday afternoon, where 'multiple patients' were treated
Images from the 8000 block of Park Avenue show a huge response from emergency crews Tuesday afternoon.
News footage at the scene showed numerous police and emergency vehicles at the school. It is located about 13 miles miles east of Los Angeles.
The incident was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m local time and 70 firefighters and paramedics responded.
The fire service tweeted: '70 firefighters and paramedics on-scene and committed to providing care for those injured. FFs working to confirm substance dropped by aircraft, although initial reports stated smell of jet fuel in area.'
One Twitter user commented: 'Now The Whole City Smells Like Fuel And Everything Is Covered In Jet Fuel!'
Students leave Park Avenue Elementary School with their parents as they are evacuated after a LAX-bound aircraft dumped fuel over the school in Los Angeles
Jet fuel dumped by an aircraft returning to Los Angeles International Airport fell onto the school playground where children were playing Tuesday, fire officials said
Parents and children leave Park Avenue Elementary School after jet fuel fell on the school
Images from LAX show the plane landing without incident after the fuel dump
Another added: '@LAFD is responding to a hazmat, it sounds like people, possible kids at a school, got jet fuel dumped on them from the Delta flight that made the emergency landing.'
Two classes are said to have been outside when the jet fuel fell. Students and staff were told to stay inside. The plane later landed safely.
The district's environmental health and safety office also responded.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 89 headed to Shanghai, China, declared an emergency after leaving Los Angeles International Airport, returned and landed without incident.
Video footage from LAX showed the flight landing without any apparent problems.
