[shivam543]

Isn't it possible to eject the fuel / fuel tank if crash is imminent?

[Onavo]

Sure, if you don't want your wings anymore. The wings are the primary fuel tanks. You can drain the fuel out during flight but the process can take hours.

[madaxe_again]

Ah, the old “Wings Stay On/Wings Fall Off” button.

[stetrain]

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff in a populated area. Dropping 100 tons of fuel or tanks on buildings is not good.

Large jets can usually dump fuel but this is something that takes time. It's sometimes used in less urgent situations where the plane can still fly safely, like a landing gear malfunction or single engine failure.

[Symbiote]

That takes at least 10 minutes, and more like 30+ on a large plane like the B787.

Source: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1456931

[ivewonyoung]

That would create a trolley problem dilemma of its own, especially over populated areas.

[creaturemachine]

Now I'm picturing a plane ejecting its wings and somehow sticking the lawn dart landing.

[pixl97]

No.

Some aircraft allow fuel dumps but it is a slow process and done at higher elevation relative to the ground.