Did a plane create this mess? Pennsylvania town claims aircraft flying overhead dumped toilet paper and plastic all over neighbourhood
- Debris landed on Paula Viccica's property in West Pittston, Pennsylvania
- She said she saw bits of paper falling from the sky for several minutes
- Homeowner believes the debris came from a plane flying overhead
- She filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration
- Paula said she wants an assurance 'that it does not pose a danger'
US aviation authorities have launched an investigation to find out whether a plane dumped toilet paper and plastic objects all over a neighbourhood in a Pennsylvania town.
Several properties were littered with debris that appeared to fall out of the sky over the town of West Pittston in Luzerne County on Monday morning.
Residents believe the rubbish came from the lavatory holding tank of a plane flying overhead, and have complained to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Paula Viccica believes the debris that landed on her property was expelled from a plane flying overhead
The bulk of the debris landed in the well-kept front garden and trees at the home of Paula Viccica.
She told the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Times Leader that she saw pieces of white paper fluttering down from the sky for several minutes.
She told the newspaper that local airport officials identified four planes flying overhead around the time she made the discovery.
While no human waste was discovered, her 13-year-old daughter, Tori, said there was an odour to the debris after it landed in the garden.
The homeowner complained to aviation authorities and wants assurance that it does not pose a danger
Paula told the Times Leader: ‘Beyond aesthetics, I’m concerned with safety. I want our property to be cleaned up and assurance that it does not pose a danger to anyone.’
Other residents in the neighbourhood, about 115 miles north of Philadelphia, were surprised to learn about the discovery.
Resident Michael Reiher told Newswatch 16: ‘That’s nuts. I mean, a plane drops stuff out of the sky and onto a yard?
The FAA said lavatory waste is contained in a holding tank that can only be opened from the outside
‘That’s crazy. I have never seen something like that before.’
On its website, the FAA said it investigates all reports, but pointed out that it is ‘very rare for anything to fall from an aircraft’.
It said lavatory waste is contained in a holding tank until a plane lands, and the apparatus to access the tank is located on the exterior of the plane.
The FAA said that it’s ‘physically impossible’ for a pilot to dump a tank while in flight, as it is opened with an exterior lever.
Most watched News videos
- Moment police officer is dragged down by car driver in tactical stop
- Met Police release video of an arrest during a protest on York Road
- Thousands join Tommy Robinson for far-right demo in central London
- Moment woman kills pensioner with Alzheimer's in 'red mist' shove
- 16-year-old student asks Rishi Sunak why he 'hates' young people
- Moment police arrest Tommy Robinson protester at London demonstration
- Nigel Farage says he backs Trump 'more than ever' after conviction
- Police clash with far-left activists at far-right protest in Germany
- Friends filmed in final embrace before being swept away in floods
- Hillary Clinton reacts to Donald Trump verdict with a wry smile
- Heroes who told Putin warship to 'Go f*** yourself' finally go home
- Heartbreaking moment two men threaten to jump from asylum seeker site