Air China Boeing 747 grounded in New York following gate refuelling incident

No injuries were reported in or around the aircraft, which was expected to operate flight CA982 from New York to Beijing that day. The leak is said to have occurred between 1am and 2am while the plane was parked at the gate, according to posts on Chinese social media.

It was being refuelled when the fuel truck moved away with two hoses still connected to the plane, damaging the fuel ports and spilling fuel onto the tarmac, according to a post on Shanghai Observer, a social media outlet of the Jiefang Daily, and a video circulating on other social media platforms.

The South China Morning Post has not independently verified the video.

Photos shared online appeared to show airport personnel inspecting the aircraft’s fuel ports and refuelling equipment, as well as cleaning up what appeared to be fuel on the ground.

Several passengers who said they were booked on the flight posted a cancellation notice they said had come from Air China. It attributed the cancellation to “fuel guarantee”, apparently referring to arrangements to refuel the aircraft.

The notice did not mention a fuel leak, aircraft damage or a refuelling truck. The notice circulating on social media has not been independently verified.