An Inglewood couple is suing a major U.S. airline after a block of ice came crashing through the roof of their home last year.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day 2024, as Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini were “peacefully in their home” on the 2600 block of West 102nd Street, the lawsuit states.
The chunk of ice, described in the complaint as “the size of a watermelon,” allegedly fell from a Jetblue Airways plane as it was en route to Los Angeles International Airport from New York.
The couple says the ice block landed directly over their bed and that they barely escaped serious injury.
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the plane had a history of potable water issues dating back to July 2023, when the same aircraft was responsible for a similar incident dropping ice on a home in Massachusetts.
“Prior to January 1, 2024, Defendant failed to investigate and correct the problems,” the lawsuit stated.
Multiple news outlets have reported the couple is suing the airline for $1 million.
The complaint indicated that the defendants need a new place to live because they feel unsafe in their home and suffer from emotional distress including insomnia and fear as each plane passes over.
The home is located less than 5 miles from LAX where planes fly by at a rate of “approximately one every five minutes,” according to the complaint.
JetBlue has denied responsibility and said its conduct complied with industry standards and regulations.