Toilets on airplanes work differently than those on land. After all, they are not connected to the sewer system. But just opening the valve and disposing of the stool – not only does that sound a bit gross, it's also not common practice (or no longer is). However, it is not impossible that sewage could somehow escape from the plane during the flight. One Brit witnessed this firsthand.
Feces from the plane fell on the man's head
In July 2021, feces fell from a plane onto a man's lawn. Since he was there himself, he “received the airmail” himself. The newspaper reported, among other things, about it “Manchester Evening News”. A few weeks later, at a city council meeting, it was noted that this was unfortunate, but also highly unusual. After all, if sewage came from an airplane, it would have already arrived on the ground in a frozen state. According to one of the meeting participants, the chance of this happening is “one in a billion.”
Toilet on board
Aviation expert Heinrich Grosspongart disagrees with this account of the possibility of a “fecal accident.” However, in an interview with us, he confirms the strangeness of what happened. According to him, feces have not been dropped from airplanes in the air in decades. “This was probably the case in the early years of aviation,” the expert explains. “Unlike, for example, the railways, which a few years ago threw feces directly onto the tracks with a downpipe” – hence the signs prohibiting the use of transport toilets at stations, are still remembered by old-timers.
What happens to feces from airplane toilets?
Currently, special vacuum toilets are used in airplanes. They work differently than regular (water) toilets. “The flow of water as it would on land is not possible because of the weight. Airplanes will have to carry several tons of water on long-haul flights.” According to Grossbongardt, this means additional fuel consumption and therefore a higher environmental impact (and cost).
Vacuum toilets are a closed system. It works in a similar way to a vacuum cleaner: the valve is opened and the contents of the toilet bowl are “sucked” with a vacuum cleaner – which can be identified by a loud noise immediately after the flush is activated. “This is done by taking advantage of the fact that the air pressure outside the aircraft is much lower than in the cabin,” says the expert. Only a small amount of water is needed to flush feces from the toilet bowl. This process takes two to three seconds.
“Inconvenient evidence” disappears beyond sight and smell (usually…) – at least for bathroom users. But of course, the stool does not disappear completely. They are transferred from the on-board toilet to the septic tank in the fuselage. After the plane lands, the tank is emptied using a special vehicle.
Chemical additives are used to prevent feces from sticking to toilet bowls, although their environmental friendliness is still debated. However, according to Grossbongardt, these additions are essential for on-board hygiene to prevent the transmission of serious diseases. “However, at least in Europe, North America and many other countries, there are strict regulations for proper and environmentally friendly disposal,” he adds.
Frozen clumps of urine falling from the sky?
Despite the system described above, we are not completely safe from unwanted “gifts” falling from the sky. Aside from the incident in England, clumps of frozen urine have fallen to the ground repeatedly in the past. For example, in 2012, a 2-kg block fell into a family's garden in Nuremberg. In the same year, a hand-sized piece of “colored ice” broke a tile on the roof of a house in Fellbach (Baden-Württemberg). In 2015, a woman in India was fatally injured by a falling lump of feces, as reported by, among other things, a British news site. BBC.
Where do these frozen stool clumps come from? “This happens when the valve used on the ground to empty septic tanks has a little leak,” explains aviation expert Grossbongardt. “When toilet fluid leaks, it instantly freezes due to the extreme temperatures at the plane's altitude. Over the course of several hours of long-distance flight, a block of ice forms under the tail and sometimes falls off as the plane returns to the warm air. Layers during landing.” However, this happens very rarely. This is because drain valves are regularly checked for leaks for safety reasons.
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
