A California couple is suing jetblue For $1 million, alleging that a large chunk of ice fell from one of the airline's planes, hitting the ceiling just above his bed.
According to court documents reviewed by CBS News, Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini were sleeping in bed on January 1, 2024, when “a large chunk of ice” fell from the ceiling. The lawsuit claims the piece of ice was “the size of a watermelon” and the couple “barely (avoided) catastrophic physical injury.” Police and fire departments were called to the home.
The lawsuit says a Federal Aviation Administration investigation found the plane had drinking water problems, dating back to July 2023, and that the same plane was suspected of dumping ice. massachusetts house In August 2023.
The lawsuit alleges that JetBlue failed to “investigate and correct” the water problem and falling ice cubes. The lawsuit says that on January 11, 2024, 10 days after snow fell on the plaintiff's home, the plane was flagged so that its potable water system valve and drain could be removed and inspected. According to the lawsuit, the plane was scheduled to be removed from service in February 2024 for repairs.
“JetBlue was on notice months before January 1, 2024, yet failed to investigate potable water system valve and drain problems,” the lawsuit states. “If JetBlue had done this after being notified of the problem as early as July 2023, a large block of ice would not have been discharged onto the plaintiff's home.”
CBS News contacted JetBlue for comment. The company did not immediately respond.
According to the lawsuit, the ice chunks caused “extensive damage” to the roof, and the couple “suffered severe emotional distress” which they said resulted in insomnia, causing Reese, a commercial driver, to take time off work. Did it. The pair said they have also both attended therapy as a result of the incident. The lawsuit says both plaintiffs have become “anxious and depressed” and have a constant fear that their home could be attacked again. The lawsuit says planes pass over the house every five minutes, and they are now “scared by every plane” that flies overhead. The pair are considering moving, even though they consider their current residence “their dream home.”
According to the lawsuit, the couple is suing JetBlue for negligence and trespassing.
“JetBlue knew or should have known that there had been (a) prior incident of ice falling from the aircraft at issue… and a thorough inspection and investigation of the potable water service system would have revealed a defect in the valve Which was what the lawsuit says: The plane was leaking and ice was falling.
The couple are demanding a jury trial on the charges. According to court documents, Ferrarini and Reese are seeking $360,000 for property damage, $40,000 for medical expenses, $300,000 for emotional distress and $300,000 for pain, suffering and inconvenience.
An attorney representing Reese and Ferrarini also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.