An airport worker at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York caused a major fuel leak on 31 August after driving away from an Air China Boeing 747-8 whilst it was still being refuelled. Footage shows the refuelling truck moving under the aircraft's wing with fuel hoses still attached, causing them to tear from their connections and rupture the plane's fuel ports, resulting in a cascade of fuel pouring onto the tarmac. The incident prompted the cancellation of the flight to Beijing and damage to critical aircraft components, though fortunately no injuries were reported.

The Boeing 747-8 had landed at JFK at approximately 10pm the previous evening and was scheduled to depart at 2.05am. Reports indicate that two fuel hoses remained connected when the truck moved abnormally during ground operations, damaging the aircraft's refuelling system. Following inspection and repairs, the plane subsequently returned to service and has since completed several passenger flights, including a New York to Beijing service on 25 September. Air China confirmed that contingency arrangements were made for passengers affected by the cancellation, though the company has not publicly detailed the full extent of the damage.