The fact is that adaptations of the V-22 have virtually unlimited potential to improve interurban air transport, short-haul commercial delivery, oil spill containment, forest fire-fighting, emergency relief delivery, and a host of other functions.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Freedom Flame 2013

Airport fire and cleanup crews responded to the spill.

CNN: Airline: Dreamliner fuel leak due to an open valve

It was originally thought the spill involved about 3, 000 litres of a chemical liquid, but the fire service said it was 775 litres of non-hazardous petroleum distillates.

BBC: Chemicals on M25

The judge also agreed to rule out punitive damages against Cameron International, the manufacturer of the blowout preventer on the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon rig, which was rocked by an explosion and fire in 2010 that killed 11 workers and touched off the enormous spill.

NPR: Claims Against BP Contractors Dismissed At Trial

And the company has come under increasing fire from state governments and the Obama administration, which announced a criminal investigation into the spill and cut off joint news conferences with the company this week.

CNN: BP robots steer cap to spewing well