Plane drops jet fuel over schools

A Delta Air Lines flight to Shanghai reported engine trouble minutes after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday and dumped its fuel to lose weight for an emergency landing. The smelly vapor fell around the city of Cudahy and nearby parts of Los Angeles County—including on seven schools.

Is everyone OK? Firefighters responded to treat 56 children and adults with minor skin and lung irritation, but no one went to the hospital. The county health department said affected students were sent home with instructions on how to rinse off with soap and water and clean or discard their clothes. The fuel evaporated quickly, and nothing flammable remained, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Sky Cornell said. Delta sent cleaning crews to the affected schools, and all reopened on Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why the pilots broke procedure by dumping the fuel over a populated area at a low altitude. The Boeing 777-200 landed safely.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about Boeing’s ongoing difficulties with its 737 Max.