A cargo aircraft departing Liège Airport for New York JFK was forced to dump fuel over several towns in the Liège region on Sunday morning after the crew detected a problem with the landing gear shortly after takeoff.
The Boeing 747 registered OO-ACE, operated by Challenge Airlines, took off as flight X7-541 just before 10:30. Once airborne, the pilots initiated a fuel jettison procedure to reduce the aircraft’s weight in preparation for a possible return and safe landing. According to Liège Airport, this is a standard safety measure, as an aircraft’s maximum landing weight is lower than its takeoff weight. Fuel is released through wing nozzles and largely vaporises at altitude.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft circling for around an hour, dumping fuel over several municipalities, including Grâce-Hollogne, Awans, Crisnée, Remicourt, Donceel, Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher, Verlaine, and Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse.
Liège Airport confirmed the incident and emphasised that fuel jettisoning is a controlled emergency procedure designed to protect both the aircraft and runway infrastructure while ensuring flight safety.
