A U.S. airline is forced to shell out €72 million after dumping thousands of liters of fuel onto residential structures.

Delta Air Lines has reached a settlement of approximately 78.75 million USD (71.6 million EUR) in relation to a plane incident that occurred on Delta Flight 89, en route to Shanghai from Los Angeles International Airport.

The incident, which took place shortly after takeoff, saw the plane experiencing engine trouble. Despite this, the pilots allegedly flew as low as 2,000 feet, a practice that should typically occur at around 10,000 feet to allow fuel to evaporate before reaching the ground.

The pilots did not inform air traffic control of their decision to dump fuel, as is usually required. This fuel dumping, which is typically over uninhabited areas like the ocean, occurred over residential areas, affecting an elementary school and other properties.

Under the proposed settlement, Delta would not admit liability. The settlement amount, after deducting legal fees and other expenses, is less than half of the initial settlement amount, amounting to 50.59 million USD (46 million EUR).

The settlement is aimed at eliminating the distraction and other burdens that the litigation has caused to Delta's business, and to avoid uncertainties and the costs of a trial. If all claimants opt in, the settlement would provide 888.82 USD (808 EUR) per property owner and 104.34 USD (95 EUR) per resident.

The claimants in the proposed settlement are likely to be affected residents and property owners who suffered damages or health issues due to the event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigated the incident, and court documents state that the pilots acted appropriately.

The settlement is part of a class-action lawsuit that began in January 2020. The final hearing to approve the settlement is expected to take place in March. The pilots returned the plane to Los Angeles International Airport, but it was too heavy for a safe landing due to having enough fuel for a 13-hour flight.

It is important to note that the proposed settlement does not include an admission of property damage, no diminution in value, or permanent injury to residents as a result of the crew's actions, according to the filing.

The settlement is pending judicial approval.

A U.S. airline is forced to shell out €72 million after dumping thousands of liters of fuel onto residential structures.