A California couple is suing JetBlue for $1 million, alleging that a large chunk of ice from one of the airline’s planes crashed through the ceiling right over their bed.
According to court documents reviewed by CBS News, Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini were sleeping in bed on Jan. 1, 2024 when a “large block of ice” came through the roof. The lawsuit claims the chunk of ice was “the size of a watermelon” and the couple “barely (escaped) devastating physical injury.” Police and the fire department were called to the home.
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration found the plane had a history of potable water issues, going back to July 2023, the lawsuit said, and the same aircraft was suspected to have dropped ice on a Massachusetts home in August 2023.
The suit alleges that JetBlue failed to “investigate and correct the problems” causing the water issues and falling ice blocks. On January 11, 2024, 10 days after the ice fell on the plaintiff’s home, the plane was flagged so its potable water system valve and drain could be removed and inspected, the lawsuit said.
The plane was removed from service in February 2024 for repairs, according to the lawsuit.
“JetBlue had been on notice for months prior to January 1, 2024, yet failed to conduct an investigation as to the problems with the potable water system valve and drain,” the lawsuit said. “Had JetBlue done so after being on notice that there was a problem as early as July 2023, the discharge of the large block of ice on Plaintiffs’ home would not have occurred.”