DALLAS- Passengers on an American Airlines Eagle (AA) flight narrowly avoided a dangerous situation at Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) after a ground worker lost control of a refueling hose, causing jet fuel to spray uncontrollably across the aircraft and tarmac.
Videos of the incident have gone viral, showing the moment highly flammable fuel burst from the hose, leaving viewers stunned by the near-miss at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Aircraft Involved in the DC Crash; Photo- Wikipedia
American Airlines Fuel Spill Chaos
The incident occurred during refueling operations for an American Eagle regional jet preparing for a late-night departure.
A ground worker, completing the refueling process, attempted to disconnect the hose from the aircraft’s underbelly. However, the hose was still pressurized, and the worker appeared unaware that fuel was still flowing.
As the hose detached, it whipped violently, spraying fuel across the aircraft and nearby ground equipment. The worker, splashed with fuel, stumbled backward before managing to reach the refueling truck and shut off the pump, stopping the uncontrolled flow.
Multiple videos—one from airport surveillance and another captured by a passenger inside the terminal—show the moment the hose came loose and the fuel sprayed across the ramp. The incident quickly gained attention on social media, sparking concern among aviation workers and passengers alike.
Ground worker loses control of the refueling hose at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, spraying the highly flammable jet fuel uncontrollably around an American Eagle aircraft.
The incident is believed to have occurred in the last few days just before a late-night departure from the… pic.twitter.com/TV7BA52SEX
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 12, 2025
The aircraft involved in the incident is a Bombardier CRJ-900, registered as N593NN. It has been in service with American Eagle since May 2016.
Photo: By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK – Bombardier CRJ-700 ‘N724SK’ American Eagle, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66991728
Ground Crew Reactions and Possible Cause
Ramp agents across the U.S. have weighed in on the footage, with many suggesting the accident likely stemmed from a mechanical fault—such as a damaged hose or faulty pump—rather than human error.
The speed and force of the spray appeared consistent with equipment failure under high pressure.
While investigations are ongoing, experts say the worker’s quick response in shutting off the pump likely prevented a serious fire or explosion. Airport authorities have not confirmed whether operations were briefly suspended in the affected area.
Eurowings A320 at EuroAirport; Photo- Heute.at
Similar Incidents
Though rare, refueling mishaps do occur at major airports. Nearly a year earlier, a Eurowings (EW) flight at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) faced a similar emergency when a refueling truck accidentally struck a bollard, puncturing the tanker and spilling jet fuel.
The airport fire service contained the situation swiftly using absorption pads and safety barriers.
Incidents like these underscore the importance of rigorous ground safety checks and equipment maintenance.
Aviation fuel handling involves high pressure and flammable materials, leaving zero margin for error. Even minor technical faults can escalate rapidly if not identified in time.
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