(Information on this site is considered to be accurate at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.)
Tuesday, 5/5/09 1:05 pm
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) won't take
enforcement action against Asiana Airlines after one of its jets
had to jettison thousands of gallons of fuel over Puget Sound
during an emergency shortly after takeoff from Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport on April 29, 2009.
Because the fuel release occurred as part of an emergency
operation to safely land the plane and save lives, Ecology won't
levy penalties or fines.
For more information see the
News
Release.
Monday, 5/4/09 10:15 am
Department of Ecology responds to April 29 jet fuel
incident
On Wednesday April 29, 2009, the Washington Department of
Ecology (Ecology) mounted an aggressive response to determine
potential environmental impacts to state waters after Asiana
Airlines Flight 271 had to jettison an initial estimate of about
5,000 gallons of commercial jet fuel over Puget Sound.
The Boeing 777 was forced to take the emergency maneuver
after the aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after
takeoff from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at about 2:30
p.m. The jet successfully landed back at the airport without
incident.
Over flights, maritime reports and field assessments
Ecology spill responders made field observations at various
locations in King and Kitsap counties. Agency spill responders
also conducted an aerial over flight of Puget Sound to assess
environmental impacts. Ecology also contacted and received
reports from its partners in the maritime community to get
immediate on-water observations.
Rough estimate where fuel was jettisoned
Jettisoning excess fuel during an emergency to lighten an
aircraft’s load to ensure a safe landing is a common procedure.
When Flight 271 reported an engine failure, it was about five
miles from the airport and about 3,000 feet over Federal Way but
was continuing to climb. Voice communication recordings between
the aircraft and ground control reveal the pilot requested
permission to dump fuel. The pilot was instructed to turn right,
head north over Puget Sound, and release fuel once the jet was
over water. From the location where the emergency was declared,
the aircraft would have been over Puget Sound waters within a
minute. The aircraft traveled north, the circled off Shilshole
Bay until it had released enough fuel to make its emergency
landing. At the time of the incident, winds were blowing toward
the west at 2.5 miles per hour, with gusts of 5 to 7 miles per
hour. The wind blew the fuel toward the north end of Vashon
Island and along the eastern shore of Bainbridge Island. The
aircraft discharged an estimated 34,200 pounds of fuel in total,
or approximately 5,000 gallons.
Most fuel likely evaporated but some did reach land, water
While Ecology expects much of the jettisoned fuel evaporated
before reaching the ground, there were numerous reports that
some fuel reached land and also impacted area surface waters.
Kitsap County received emergency calls from Bainbridge Island
residents reporting some people were sprayed with drifting fuel
droplets. Washington State Department of Transportation Ferry
System officials reported strong vapors and fuel on the water
about a mile off Bainbridge Island. Ecology responders
coordinated with local fire department officials on Bainbridge
Island but could not confirm fuel impacts. Local fire officials
also reported no first-hand observations of residual fuel.
Fuel observed in Puget Sound
During a helicopter flight over the central Puget Sound, an
Ecology responder observed a thin “stream” of fuel sheen along
the shore of Vashon Island, Bainbridge Island, and as far north
as Lincoln Head, almost to Kingston. Only a couple streamers of
fuel sheen were observed from Edmonds to Seattle on the east
side of Puget Sound. The spilled fuel was too thin to recover
from the water. Ecology estimates the spill likely dissipated
into the water column and evaporated within a couple hours. The
department did not receive any reports of oiled birds or
wildlife.
Commercial jet fuel
Commercial jet fuel is essentially kerosene and similar to what
is used to light charcoal barbecue fires. While all oil is
poisonous to the environment, Ecology does not expect the
jettisoned fuel from the April 29 incident caused serious
environmental harm. Any person or property hit directly with
liquid fuel should wash it off with soap and water.
More information
Besides Ecology, a number of other federal, state and local
agencies also were involved with the incident. The following is
a list of contacts agencies, telephone numbers, and Web links:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – 206-553-1264 (http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/index.htm)
Federal Aviation Administration – 425-227-1999 (http://www.faa.gov)
Kitsap County Health District – 360-337-5235 (http://www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/)
Seattle & King County Public Health – 206-296-4949 (http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health.aspx)
Asiana Airlines – 206-246-0755 (www.us.flyasiana.com/)
