Print
Email
Share

Airline passengers claim luggage was returned soaked in jet fuel

by COREY ROSE / KUSA NBC Affiliate

KING5.com

Posted on February 16, 2010 at 1:58 PM

DENVER - On Sunday a group of friends were returning home from a vacation in Puerto Rico.

Shortly after landing at Denver International Airport, they retrieved their bags to find out they had been drenched in jet fuel.

Delta Airlines Representatives had them fill out a complaint and sent them home with their bags.

They told them to wash everything they could and for everything else submit a reimbursement form within 24 hours.

"I'm not sure what to do with baggage that smells like jet fuel because to me that seems like a hazard and I should just dump it in my trash can. I don't really know how to handle it," Kathy Shoemaker,  said.

Aviation Expert Greg Feith, says the contaminated luggage could be a serious fire hazard on the airplane, at the airport and at the passengers' home.

A Delta representative told the passengers the soaking probably happened on the ground in Puerto Rico, meaning the bags flew with them all the way to Denver.

That didn't sit well with Kathy.

"I don't think anyone wants luggage that's been soaked in fuel in the luggage compartment of their flight. I don't ever want to think that would ever happen again cause it seems to me there was enough luggage that was soaked that any kind of spark would have blown up our plane."

Feith says the possibility of fuel leaking from an aircraft fuel tank into the cargo pit during flight is virtually impossible, but he says the airline should always try to find the source of any fuel contamination.

Calls to Delta representatives for comment weren't returned.

Print
Email
Share

To add a comment, please register or login.

1000 characters remaining

Submit

We welcome your comments on this story's topic. Off-topic comments, personal attacks, and inappropriate language may be flagged and removed, and comment privileges blocked, per our Terms of Service. Thanks for keeping the comments space respectful.

Privacy Policy

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Comments: Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

tomma206 said on February 16, 2010 at 10:55 PM

Another example of the fine folks of the airline industry.Thanks guys.We really want to spend money with you so you can care even less.

37729846
Flag this comment

vickied said on February 16, 2010 at 5:04 PM

Never wash fuel soaked clothes in a washing machine! Even the machines say on the lids NOT TO. My washer says the fumes can create an explosion and fire hazard. Sounds like someone needs to get a lawyer on this one. Pretty darn unsafe to carry jet fuel soaked luggage in the plane as well.. wondering how many others bag were soaked as well? Can't just have happened to one!

37716811
Flag this comment

lilredcv said on February 16, 2010 at 2:28 PM

Delta's really good about not responding to complaints. We filed one for over $2,000 worth of damage done to my younger sister's electric wheelchair back in 1996. Most of the damage involved her battery pack on the chair, if my sister went up an incline, the battery would shift and connection would be lost. That in turn would leave her stuck there unless someone with her knew how to "fix" it so she could get going again. Never heard from them. Ever. We filed more than one complaint. Called them numerous times. Even had a news story interview on the local TV stations. Nothing.

37708256
Flag this comment

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?

Register Now

Member Benefits

Link your account to your Twitter or Facebook account for easier login!

Link your account to your Facebook profile Link your account to your Twitter profile

Check box to receive Free Special Offers

* - Indicates required field

Check box to receive Free Special Offers

Connecting to

You may need to allow pop up window for this step of registration

Just one more step:

Please take a moment to review the available e-mail newsletters has to offer. Place a checkbox next to the newsletters you wish to subscribe to.

Welcome.

Thank you for becoming a member of KING5.com. You now have full access to the best local coverage and late breaking news from KING5.com. Soon you will be redirected to the page you were seeking, and a confirmation email will be delivered to you.

You will need to respond to the confirmation e-mail for your account to be activated.

KING5.com is dedicated to bringing you exceptional news and outstanding information services, all while personalizing it to your liking. We're sure you'll enjoy being a KING5.com member! If you need assistance, please contact us.