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Fuel Truck Hits Jet at Richmond Airport / Vehicle With 4,000 Pounds of Fuel Strikes Aircraft's Right Wing [Corrected 03/08/06]

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By CHIP JONES

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A fuel truck struck a United Airlines regional jet early yesterday at Richmond International Airport, causing minor injuries, some missed flights and property damage.

But it could have been much worse.

"There was a lot of fuel out there," airport spokesman Troy

Bell said. "We were fortunate not to have a leak." The threat of an explosion, Bell said, "was treated as the greatest immediate danger."

At 6:25 a.m. a fuel truck operated by a private aviation company, Million Air, struck the right wing tip of United Express Flight 8006.

"Apparently it was a pretty strong strike," Bell said, causing the 50-seat airplane to leave skid marks when it was shoved on the loading ramp.

The 42 passengers were quickly evacuated from the plane, with no injuries reported.

The truck, which carried 4,000 pounds of fuel, struck the Embraer 145 jet less than 2 feet away from the airplane's fuel tank. No fuel spilled, though.

The airplane was fully loaded with 5,000 pounds of jet fuel.

The truck driver -- Alben David Tarty Jr., 42, of Richmond -- sustained cuts to his face after the wing tip broke his windshield, said Eugene McDonough, president of Million Air.

Airport and Henrico County fire and rescue workers cut through the roof of the truck to remove Tarty, who was stabilized. He was treated and released for minor injuries at VCU Medical Center, airport officials said.

Airport police plan to issue Tarty a notice of a safety/

security violation, which carries a $20 fine, officials said.

He has worked at Million Air since July, McDonough said.

A United Airlines employee working in the plane's cargo bay received minor injuries from the crash. The female ramp worker was treated and released from a local hospital, Bell said.

Most of the travelers, who were bound for Dulles International Airport, were booked on other flights during the day, Bell said.

The United Express plane is owned by St. Louis-based Trans States Airlines, which provides regional jet service.

Trans States spokesman Bill Mishk said no damage estimate was available, but expects the plane to be repaired and back in service within a week.

Contact staff writer Chip Jones at cjones@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6726.

Source: Richmond Times - Dispatch

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