FedEx Plane Dumps Fuel over Shelby Co.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A FedEx crew dumped jet fuel over northern Shelby County when its plane had mechanical problems and had to return to Memphis International Airport.

The Commercial Appeal quoted FedEx spokesman Jim McCluskey who said a Boeing 727 had problems shortly after takeoff on May 28 and it was too heavy to safely land with a full load of fuel. Dumping fuel in flight is a routine safety procedure.

Two farmers and a gardener complained to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture when their crops developed brown spots.

FedEx says its plane was flying at about 5,000 feet -- high enough that the fuel should have evaporated before reaching the ground. The company has hired a consultant to investigate.

Agriculture Department spokesman Tom Womack says the crops appear to have recovered.