A California couple has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue after a large chunk of ice allegedly fell from one of the airline’s planes into their home.
Nearly one year after the alleged incident occurred on the night of Jan. 1, 2024, California residents Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini are suing the airline for $1 million alleging negligence and trespassing, CBS News and ABC News report.
The lawsuit reportedly claims that the couple was asleep when an ice chunk “the size of a watermelon” crashed into their bedroom, nearly resulting in “devastating physical injury” for the two had they not “barely escaped.”
Following the alleged incident, Reese and Ferrarini say they “suffered severe emotional distress” that has resulted in insomnia and a fear of planes flying over their home, the outlets report.
The filing reportedly claims that they would “cringe in fear” every time a plane passed over their house, which is “approximately one every five minutes.” The couple are now considering moving out of their “dream home” as it no longer makes them feel safe.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a representative for the airline said they cannot comment on the situation due to ongoing litigation, and added, “At JetBlue, safety is our number one priority and guides everything we do.”
The lawsuit claims that the aircraft, a JetBlue Airbus A321, was flying from Los Angeles to New York when the incident occurred.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration investigation reportedly cited in the filing, the agency discovered the aircraft had “potable water issues” six months prior to the incident.
They claim the aircraft was removed from service a month after the incident, in February 2024, after it was flagged to have its potable water system valve and drain inspected, CBS News reports.
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A similar incident happened to a New Jersey family in June 2024.
Paul Gomez of Paterson, N.J. told News 12 New Jersey that a block of ice crashed through his roof on the night of Wednesday, June 12, and landed less than 12 feet from where he and his family were sitting. The ice block could have been bio-waste from an airplane, WABC reported at the time.
Of the incident, the FAA told PEOPLE in a statement: “Generally speaking, we investigate reports that we receive about incidents such as this.”
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