A LA couple's close call with a falling ice chunk from a JetBlue flight raises serious concerns about airline maintenance and passenger safety. With over $300k in damages and ongoing emotional distress, they're seeking accountability.
A Los Angeles couple narrowly escaped injury when a watermelon-sized chunk of ice crashed through their bedroom roof, landing just inches from their bed. The ice is believed to have fallen from a JetBlue Airbus A321-231 en route from JFK to LAX on January 1, 2024.
Homeowners Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini are suing JetBlue for $1 million, citing $300K in damages and emotional distress. The couple reports ongoing anxiety and insomnia, feeling unsafe in their home near LAX.
An FAA investigation revealed the plane had a history of potable water system issues, including a similar ice-fall incident in Massachusetts in 2023. Inspectors found misthreaded fasteners causing leaks that froze at altitude.
JetBlue claims it followed all regulations and denies liability.
Aircraft Maintenance: Highlights the need for regular inspections, especially when prior issues are reported.
Airline Accountability: Raises concerns about airline responsibility for falling debris and current regulations.
Homeowner Safety: Shows unexpected risks for residents near flight paths.
Similar Incidents:
New Jersey (2024): Ice chunk hit a family’s roof, causing major damage.
Bristol, UK (2018): Ice chunk crashed through a roof, with no injuries.
Amstelveen, Netherlands (2016): Ice tore a hole in a house.
These incidents are often caused by “blue ice,” which forms from leaks in a plane’s lavatory system that freeze at high altitudes and fall during descent. Though regulations ban mid-flight waste disposal, leaks can still occur, posing safety hazards.
