FACT CHECK: No, this video does not show a plane launching the “Chemtrail Vaporizer.”

A video divided on X claims to show a plane accidentally releasing “the chemtrail vaporizer” on the ground.

While still at the airport terminal, a pilot accidentally releases the chemtrail vaporizer. pic.twitter.com/CQwaq0Zixj

— David Wolfe (@DavidWolfe) October 22, 2024

Verdict: False

The claim is unfounded. It actually shows the result of an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire.

Fact check:

According to the New York Post, Japan Airlines is offering free domestic connections to certain international travelers already flying to Japan to encourage tourists to visit less popular destinations. The list includes travelers from North America, many Asian countries and Australia after booking international tickets, the outlet reported.

An X-video appears to show a Japan Airlines plane parked at an airport emitting a large amount of smoke that appears to have a slight orange tint. The headline states that the smoke is a “chemtrail vaporizer.”

“A pilot accidentally sets off the chemtrail vaporizer while still at the airport terminal,” the caption reads. (RELATED: Did Former CIA Director Admit Chemtrail Conspiracy Theory Is Real?)

However, this claim is unfounded. The video was previously posted YouTube in August 2020. “Short video showing the APU burning oil,” the description reads in part. “This could happen after extensive maintenance if there is oil residue in the APU.” APU stands for Auxiliary Power Unit, a small engine that “provides critical electrical power for aircraft systems and bleed air to start the main engines,” according to aviation news company Simple Flying.

“The airline has confirmed that there was no such record of the reported incident,” a Japan Airlines spokesperson confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact. “Although it is possible that the malfunction of the APU (auxiliary power unit) caused the APU system oil to leak at the high temperature of the APU exhaust port and produce white smoke, there is no record of the large amount of white smoke that appeared in the Video can be seen.” .”

The video went viral back in March 2023 when BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh wrote a post debunking the claim. “It is actually a Japan Airlines aircraft burning excess oil in its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU),” the post reads in part. It was also debunked by Logically Facts at the time.

This video, which has been viewed 2.5 million times, purports to show a pilot “accidentally releasing chemicals” at an airport, allegedly proving the chemtrail conspiracy theory.

It is actually a Japan Airlines aircraft that burns excess oil in its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). pic.twitter.com/2s06Eq4Nat

— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) March 18, 2023