Forum Topic

Smell of Kerosene in Isleworth

A few times over the past year or so I have become aware of a strong smell of aircraft fuel (kerosene) in the air in Isleworth. This is on the London road and sometimes in our garden in St John's Road. I'm not sure whether this isn't just the wind carrying the smell from Heathrow airport, or maybe some other cause, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has smelt it and has any ideas where it might come from.

Julian Joyce ● 7416d11 Comments

Julian:and all..At 5.30am one morning, when the pilot thought he couldn't be seen by anyone.... a seemingly heavily laded Cathays Pacific Jumbo...eased over Brentford ..and before my eyes ...released a nasty black curtain of disgusting looking fuel, down on the residents below.I was having one of my all-night admin sessions...during which a notable incident is always when the first aircraft flies over. I have reported about these early morning flights before on this Forum.As you would have wished, I immediately phoned Heathrow ..BAA I believe ..and spoke to the duty officer."There were three planes in quick succession...and it was the middle one".  The BAA officer phoned me back within 20 minutes to confirm that he had spoken to the Pilot/Captain who denied any such dumping. Later a Public Relations lady phoned and left a very long explanatory message on my ansaphone..pushing me further away. I called her back but I didn't pursue it.Any reply you receive from Heathrow will be of interest.and maybe I can gleen further information from friends at the Airport.There is a pollution problem.....are you sure the smell wasn't from the Cereal Factory in Southall/Greenford...that seems to eject its  odours at 3am some nights?

Jim Lawes ● 7413d

That's partly why I don't grow any veg. in my garden...that and I'm too lazy!

Keith Iddon ● 7414d

That's partly why I don't grow any veg. in my garden...that and I'm too lazy!

Keith Iddon ● 7414d

The CAA may prevaricate but with the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act the CAA surely can be compelled to reveal such information as they hold on this subject?. Such a request would have to be in writing, but nonetheless it may be worth keeping that card up the sleeve if they don't respond.

John Wood ● 7415d

Presumably the CAA will only have details of reported cases. Those like us who have to deal with the consequences know it goes on, and sometimes it's possible to even see it happening, with a cloud of visible mist being squirted out behind the plane! I'll be interested to see official figures though.

Nigel Moore ● 7415d

Most interesting JULIAN. Look forward to a statement or reply from the CAA Press Office, via your goodself. :-o

Gerry Tan ● 7415d

Seriously folks, if fuel is being dumped it is illegal, as well as filthy and possibly harmful.This from the Civil Aviation Authority website:"Fuel DumpingThe dumping of aviation fuel is an extremely rare event.Aviation Kerosene is a valuable commodity, and airlineswill not want to waste it. Article 56 (3) (b) of the CivilAviation Air Navigation Order 2000 permits thedumping of fuel in an emergency. It is recommendedthat jettisoning fuel should be carried out over the sea,or if this is not possible, above 10,000 feet to allow it toevaporate before it reaches the ground.Other than in an emergency, when it may be necessaryfor the captain to reduce the weight of the aircraftquickly to effect a safe landing, jettisoning fuel wouldconstitute an offence liable on summary conviction to afine of up to £2,500 as proved for in Article 122 (5). Asin any emergency the pilot and the air traffic controllerwould normally report the circumstances under theMandatory Occurrence Reporting Scheme."I have been onto the CAA press office and asked them how many instances of fuel dumping there have been on the flight approach into Heathrow over the past five years. Will update when I have those figures. Is there any interest in this?

Julian Joyce ● 7415d

Oh those Germans again, such poor losers.

Gareth Evans ● 7416d

Back in the 1960s the worst culprits were Lufthansa....items on the washing line  would be covered in a fine layer of petrol-smelling soot!Are there too many flights nowadays to check?

Ann S. Allridge ● 7416d

Is this legal? I thought kerosene was carciogenic?I have heard of planes dumping fuel over the sea but had no idea it was allowed over built up-areas.

Julian Joyce ● 7416d

It comes from overhead. The aircraft dump their excess fuel once cleared to land, - it's a safety thing!In the boatyard, if we're painting we have to sugar-soap then rinse the entire boat between coats, or the next coat won't adhere, due to the greasy layer that gets deposited in a fine mist.

Nigel Moore ● 7416d