Large Ice Block Falls Through Roof of Whittier Home, FAA Investigates Possible Aircraft Link

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:47:00 +0200

On Friday, a sizable block of ice unexpectedly crashed through the roof of a rental home in Whittier, California, striking the living room where Yudar Grau had been seated moments before. The homeowner, Thania Magana, suspects the ice may have come from an aircraft flying overhead at the time. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn requested that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigate, citing safety concerns for densely populated areas. Authorities note that such incidents, while rare, can result from ice forming on high-altitude aircraft, leaking airplane toilet systems, or a natural phenomenon called megacryometeors, which are unusually large ice chunks that fall even on clear days. The FAA confirmed that it investigates all reports of ice falling from airplanes that causes property damage. Hahn emphasized the importance of understanding the incident's cause to prevent potential future risks. Scientists continue to study megacryometeors, which remain a rare and poor