A ‘Dirty Ice’ Block Smashed Through Their Roof. Now What?

In Whittier, CA, a massive block of "dirty ice" recently crashed through a home's roof, narrowly missing the homeowner who was resting inside.

Local authorities and the landlord of the property believe the ice came from an aircraft flying over the area and have since reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration for next steps

 “I am bringing this incident to the attention of the FAA because they need to investigate what happened and take whatever steps necessary to prevent it from happening again,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a press release from her office.

Though there were no injuries, the close call highlights just how random and out of the blue damage to your home can be, especially to your roof.

But how worried do you really have to be about falling debris from the sky—and is your home safe with the insurance you have?

The 'dirty ice' phenomenon

Dirty ice occurs when a plane’s lavatory system, which handles the onboard toilet and wastewater, leaks fluid while flying at altitude. 

“This fluid may freeze solid while outside the aircraft, then become dislodged during descent as temperatures increase. It can be severe as the ice falls from great height and accelerates,” says Timothy S. Trecek, attorney and the managing partner at Habush Habush & Rottier in Milwaukee. 

While dirty ice falling is a rare occurrence, it has happened before

“Over the years, there have been a number of reports and incidents of ice originating from aircraft, coming loose, and hitting something on the ground,” notes Mark Dombroff, aviation attorney at Fox Rothschild in Washington, DC.

Will insurance cover this?

Fortunately, dirty ice events are typically considered “falling objects” under most standard homeowners insurance policies as opposed to “acts of God,” as there’s usually some material-causing entity. This means your policy will likely cover them.

If dirty ice does hit your home, the fastest way to get relief is to initiate a claim with your own home insurance company right away, just as you would if a tree limb hit your roof, for example. 

Trecek recommends you take photos of the debris and any structural damage. It’s also a good idea to file a police report and hold on to the debris as long as it’s safe to do so. Additionally, don’t make any ceiling or roof repairs until an adjuster comes out to your property.

As with any home insurance claim, the more evidence you have, the better your chances of a fair and full payout.

How the FAA is involved 

“The FAA’s role is investigatory, not compensatory, but its findings can be important for subrogation if an airline or maintenance issue is identified as the cause,” explains Seann Malloy, founder and managing partner at Malloy Law Offices in Bethesda, MD.

In addition to reporting a dirty ice incident to your home insurance company and the police, it’s important to inform the FAA.

To do so, complete the Standard Form 95 and submit it to the FAA's Office of Audit and Evaluation through its hotline, email, or mail. 

Be prepared to share personal information such as your name, address, and birth date, as well as details related to the incident, such as when it happened, the extent of the damage, and whether you have any witnesses.

“FAA investigators are responsible for tracking down potential planes, examining routes, and assessing mechanical or maintenance problems,” says Trecek.

If an aircraft is involved, their insights can help clarify liability. In some cases, this may allow you to file another claim against the airline and seek reimbursement for your deductible and other costs that your home insurance company may not cover.

“Airlines—if it originated from one of their aircraft—not only want to know what and why it happened but are typically receptive and responsive to a homeowner whose house has been damaged,” says Dombroff.  

Ultimately, reporting your situation to the FAA benefits everyone. You—as the homeowner—can receive compensation for your damages, while the FAA may detect potential aircraft issues and resolve them before similar incidents occur.