Fuel Dump

Newark, New Jersey, March 25, 2005:

A man who lives near Newark International Airport claimed he was sprayed by fuel dumped from a jet flying low over his neighborhood. The accusation was denied by both airport and federal officials.

Ron, a radical politician based in Jersey City, said he was on his "daily constitutional" Wednesday night when the alleged incident occurred. He said he heard a whooshing sound, consistent with a plane flying overhead, and then felt a mist accompanied by a strong fuel odor.

"It was like someone had poured kerosene to start a fire," said Ron, who said he had difficulty breathing and experienced tingling of his skin, scalp, and mustache after the incident.

Airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said there was no emergency that would have forced a jet to dump its fuel Wednesday night, and Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Mary Kathleen Bergan concurred.

"There was no emergency declared and no authorized dumping of fuel" in the area of Ron's claim, Bergan said. "Plus, the FAA does not re-route Newark-bound planes over Jersey City. This guy is full of sh*t."

Ron said he went through three bottles of air freshener while battling the scent, which was still slightly detectable in his neighborhood and mustache early Thursday.

He added that he also went through two bottles of scotch after the incident. "I needed to calm my nerves," he explained.

Jet fuel is a known carcinogen that causes irritation to eyes, nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness.

Posted by Bittle at March 25, 2005 10:21 AM