Air China cancelled a Beijing-bound service after one of its Boeing 747-8s was damaged during refuelling at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The aircraft, registration B-2486, was preparing to operate flight CA982 when the fuel truck reportedly moved away while hoses were still connected, damaging the fuel port and spilling fuel across the apron.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 31 August and left the aircraft grounded at JFK for inspection and repairs. No injuries were reported, while airport emergency crews responded to secure and clean the area. Social media video and photos circulating after the event appeared to show the refuelling sequence and the aftermath of the spill.
The damage temporarily removed a rare passenger Boeing 747-8 from service and disrupted a long-haul international rotation between New York and Beijing. The episode also draws attention to ramp safety during pressure refuelling at major hubs, where ground-handling procedures and oversight are critical to avoiding damage and fuel leaks.