Why are passengers told to keep their seatbelts unfastened while a plane is refuelling?

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This was published 8 years ago

Why are passengers told to keep their seatbelts unfastened while a plane is refuelling?

By Michael Gebicki
Updated
An incident while a plane is refuelling is unlikely.

An incident while a plane is refuelling is unlikely.Credit: iStock

Although most airline fuels are not highly volatile, in case of fire it becomes much easier to evacuate the aircraft if passengers have their belts unfastened.

Major incidents during refuelling are extremely rare although less serious events such as spillage occur thousands of times each year.

Minor refuelling incidents often go unreported but since 1961 a total of eight aircraft have suffered major damage during refuelling.

Most aircraft fuels have a relatively high flash point, which makes them safer to handle.

Refuelling with wide cut gasoline type fuel such as Jet B, often used in extreme latitudes for its enhanced cold-weather performance, is not permitted when passengers are on board since this has a lower flash point.

However when refuelling with kerosene fuels such as Jet A and Jet A1, which is more commonly used, passengers may remain in their seats, or board or disembark.

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