Couple nearly crushed by falling ice chunk from JetBlue plane

Inglewood, California, witnessed a terrifying incident on January 1, 2024, when a large chunk of ice, roughly watermelon-sized, fell from a JetBlue flight 2715, which had just traveled from New York City's JFK International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. The incident occurred around 8:09 PM, with the ice crashing through the couple's bedroom ceiling inches from where Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini slept. The falling ice caused significant physical damage to their home, amounting to approximately $360,000. Immediate psychological repercussions followed, resulting in the couple's persistent insomnia and heightened anxiety when planes passed overhead. Following the incident, Reese and Ferrarini reported it to the authorities, with local police and fire departments responding to the scene. Simultaneously, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated an investigation and discovered a history of issues regarding the aircraft's potable water system dating back to July 2023. The airplane had previously been involved in a similar incident where clear ice fell onto a house in the Boston area, which raised concerns about ongoing mechanical failures related to ice formation during flights. Ten days after the accident above the couple's home, the FAA ordered a comprehensive review of the plane's water and drainage systems. Investigators identified defective components within the potable water system, including misthreaded fasteners that resulted in ice blockage and subsequent leaks at high altitudes. This failure directly led to the maliciously harmful incident for Reese and Ferrarini, who argued that JetBlue should have conducted an inspection sooner, especially after the earlier incident in Massachusetts. Their inability to feel secure in their own home forced them to seek alternative living arrangements, incurring further expenses along the way. The couple’s ordeal led to a lawsuit against JetBlue, claiming emotional distress and pain and suffering totaling $600,000. JetBlue, however, asserted its adherence to all regulations and standards at the time of the incident and asserted that it should not be held responsible for the damage sustained. The couple's life was turned upside down, as they no longer felt safe in their dwelling, a place they had worked hard to make their dream home. Their desperate situation highlighted the potential dangers associated with flying, particularly regarding unforeseen events that can disrupt the lives of innocent bystanders living in flight paths.