As soon as the Boeing took off, the air traffic control was informed of the engine damage. Therefore, he dropped kerosene at an altitude of 4,300-5,500 meters to make it easier to turn back to Luxembourg. The procedure takes place regularly and is one of the standard measures in emergency situations, in 2024 it will be the seventh case. Despite this, it is repeatedly criticized.
The FAA explains that during a rapid fuel dump, also known as a “fuel dump,” some of the fuel is released from the airplane's tank into the atmosphere. Usually, the designed landing weight of the aircraft is less than the take-off weight, considering that the aircraft consumes kerosene during flight and therefore the weight is reduced. If the aircraft has to land early due to an emergency, the intended landing mass is achieved by unloading the fuel. To do this, the team must declare an urgent or special situation.
Environmentalists criticize this approach, which is particularly common in Rhineland-Palatinate due to its proximity to Frankfurt Airport. However, much of the kerosene evaporates before reaching the ground, according to a report by the Federal Environmental Agency. According to this, the rapid release of fuel does not have a critical effect on people or the environment.