Beware of Falling Ice: It Might Not Be What You Think

Have you ever wondered what those falling ice pellets during rain really are? While many assume they are harmless hail, some shocking incidents reveal they could be frozen urine from airplanes. This article explores alarming cases where homeowners discovered the truth behind these icy surprises, leading to unexpected damage and no compensation from airlines. Read on to learn more about this unusual phenomenon and the implications it has for those affected.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 00:39 IST

The Dangers of Falling Ice from Planes

During rain, it's not uncommon to see small ice pellets falling alongside raindrops, known as hail. Children often pick these up to eat, but caution is advised, as these ice pieces could actually be frozen urine from planes.

Airplanes are equipped with tanks to collect waste, but occasionally, this waste can escape. A notable incident occurred in 2006 involving Andy and Gennor Swan, who found what they thought was hail on their roof, only to discover it was frozen urine that had fallen from a plane.

There have been persistent rumors that all waste from planes is released below, sometimes landing on the ground. However, modern aircraft store these waste materials in tanks. Yet, mishaps can happen, leading to what is referred to as 'blue ice' being released.

There have been several instances where waste has fallen to the ground in this manner. In the case of Andy and Gennor, a block measuring 18 inches wide landed on their roof while they were in their garden.

Andy recounted that when the ice struck their roof, it made a loud noise and caused some damage. Initially, he thought it was hail, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a frozen urine cube from a plane.

A similar incident occurred with Stephanie Cole, who experienced a similar event when a block of ice fell on her car outside her home. This too was a frozen urine block from an aircraft.

In both cases, the homeowners suffered significant damage, yet they received no compensation from the airline.