Despite their attempts, the crew was unable to stop the water from spreading toward the front of the plane.
DALLAS- On December 7, 2024, passengers on an American Airlines (AA) flight from Dallas (DFW) to Minneapolis (MSP) experienced an unusual and disturbing incident when water began filling the cabin mid-flight.
A leak in a rear restroom led water to flow down the aisle, creating a sight reminiscent of a disaster movie, according to some passengers.
American Airlines Flight Flooded
According to the current schedule, American Airlines generally uses Boeing 737 aircraft on the DFW-MSP flight route.
According to the New York Post, the problem began when a passenger spotted water pouring from the lavatory and alerted a flight attendant. Despite their attempts, the crew was unable to stop the water from spreading toward the front of the plane.
Hilary Stewart Blazevic, a passenger, recounted the sight to Storyful, noting the first shock and terror as passengers tried to get their luggage and feet out of the gathering water, which she called “disgusting.”
A TikTok video documenting the commotion has gone viral, with over 7.2 million views. The video, set to Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On (the classic theme from Titanic), depicts passengers responding to the deluge with a mix of laughter and fear.
The video’s caption, “The in-flight movie was Titanic,” and internet responses emphasized the bizarre character of the occurrence. One user remarked, “Imagine drowning on a plane in the air,” while another joked, “New final destination fear unlocked.”
This unsettling incidence adds to a number of previous airline incidents that have left customers terrified. In September, an Avianca Airlines flight to Colombia experienced extreme turbulence, provoking panicked reactions from people on board.
Social Media User Comments
A comment on the viral TikTok video speculated on the source of the leak, questioning who might have clogged the toilet as the flooding began in the back bathroom.
Others exploited the occasion to highlight practical problems, with one commenter advocating against wearing open-toe shoes, noting, “Another reason to wear closed-toe shoes and not flip-flops or Crocs.”
The strange aspect of the occurrence generated a surge of black comedy. Someone wrote, “Imagine drowning on a plane in the air.” Another wrote: “Drowning at 30,000 feet going 500 mph lol, new death fear unlocked.”
Similar Incident
It’s not the first time. On August 7, 2024, American Airlines flight AA36 from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) was diverted to New York’s John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK) due to an overflowing lavatory. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the event.
Flight Radar 24 data shows that the Boeing 777-200(ER), registered as N751AN, departed Dallas at 10:53 PM UTC. While flying above New York state, a flight attendant reported the lavatory issue after about two hours and 30 minutes in the air.
Following usual safety precautions, the crew made a precautionary landing at JFK. The jet landed at 2:23 AM UTC after using extra fuel to ensure a safe landing.
The 23.4-year-old aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines, was supposed to continue its journey to Madrid but was grounded owing to maintenance issues. Passengers were delayed as the airline arranged for a new plane.
An American Airlines spokeswoman verified the detour to Aviation A2Z, saying:
On Aug. 7, American Airlines flight 36 with service from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Madrid (MAD) diverted to New York (JFK) due to a maintenance issue. The aircraft landed normally and is scheduled to re-depart [Thursday] evening on a new aircraft. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience.”