New York, United States: An Air China Boeing 747-8, registration B-2486, was damaged during a ground refuelling operation at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York on August 31, 2026, shortly before it was scheduled to operate Flight CA982 from New York to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
The aircraft was parked at the gate and being refuelled when the fuel truck reportedly moved away while two refuelling hoses were still connected to the aircraft, pulling the hoses from the wing-mounted fuel ports, damaging the relevant components and causing fuel to spill onto the airport apron. The aircraft could not operate the scheduled flight and CA982 was subsequently cancelled. No injuries were reported.
Photographs and video circulating online appeared to show the aircraft at the gate, airport personnel inspecting the refuelling equipment and the area around the aircraft’s fuel connections, as well as fuel on the ground.
According to the reports, the fuel truck began moving before the refuelling hoses had been disconnected from the aircraft. Two hoses were reportedly still attached when the truck moved, causing them to be pulled from the aircraft’s fuel connections. The movement damaged the fuel-port area and resulted in jet fuel leaking onto the apron. This sequence is based on circulating video and media reports; Air China’s official statement confirms the abnormal movement of the refuelling truck and resulting aircraft damage but does not publicly provide the full mechanical sequence or explain why the truck moved while the equipment remained connected.
Air China confirmed the incident on September 2, 2026. In its statement, the airline said: “On August 31, 2026 during ground refuelling operations for Air China flight CA982 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, the refuelling truck moved abnormally, causing damage to relevant aircraft components and preventing the flight from operating as scheduled. Following the incident, Air China immediately activated a special contingency plan for international flights and made every effort to provide services and assistance to affected passengers.”
Air China’s wording is significant because the airline did not describe the event as an aircraft accident or provide a detailed assessment of the damage. Instead, it confirmed that the refuelling truck’s abnormal movement damaged aircraft components and prevented CA982 from operating as scheduled. The airline also said it activated its contingency arrangements to assist affected passengers.
Flight CA982 was scheduled to fly from JFK to Beijing Capital International Airport, with a scheduled departure in the early morning of August 31, 2026. The aircraft involved, B-2486, is a Boeing 747-89L operated by Air China. Flight-tracking records show that B-2486 had arrived at JFK on August 31 as Air China Flight CA981 from Beijing before it was scheduled to return to Beijing as CA982. The aircraft had previously operated the same New York-Beijing route several times in August.
The extent of the aircraft damage has not been fully disclosed by Air China. The airline’s official statement only refers to “relevant aircraft components” being damaged. Media reports and images indicate that the area around the aircraft’s fuel ports and refuelling connections was affected. Aviation Safety Network has also recorded the occurrence as involving damage to the fuel port and a fuel leak.
The available information indicates that the aircraft did not become airborne after the refuelling incident. Its scheduled flight to Beijing was cancelled and another aircraft was subsequently used for the route.
As of September 3, 2026, Air China has confirmed the abnormal movement of the refuelling truck and the resulting aircraft damage, but no publicly available investigation report from the FAA, NTSB or Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has established why the truck moved while the refuelling hoses were connected or assigned responsibility for the incident.
