Huge fuel leak grounds United flight
United Airlines was forced to cancel a transatlantic flight to Venice after a huge fuel leak was spotted by a passenger pouring out on to the tarmac at Newark Liberty Airport.
The Boeing 767-300 returned to the gate and all passengers were deplaned.
The aircraft was taken out of service, United said.
The airline did not say what caused the leak or how much fuel was spilled but issued a statement.
"While taxiing to the runway United flight 170 traveling from Newark to Venice, Italy returned to the gate due to a fuel leak, and was later canceled. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience. Our team helped provide customers with hotel accommodations for the night and are working to get them back on their way to Venice."
After spotting the massive leak, newlyweds Rachel and Mike Brumfield, traveling to Venice on honeymoon, said they initially struggled to get cabin crew to take their concern seriously.
"It was huge – it looked like a fire hose," said Rachel Brumfield, adding that the flight attendant who had initially brushed them off, later thanked them.
After seeing the Brumfield’s video, a crew member asked the Brumfields to ‘go easy’ on the airline on social media, according to the New York Post.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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