When safety backfired: How five Spirit jets were disabled by their own protection system
has grounded five aircraft after a fire suppression system accidentally activated inside its maintenance hangar at
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
(DTW) on July 4, 2025. The discharge, which may have caused millions of dollars in potential damage, occurred during a severe thunderstorm and is believed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.
The foam system affected two aircraft inside the hangar and three more parked on the adjacent ramp. All five planes have been taken out of service for inspection and cleaning.
Foam incident triggered during thunderstorm
The 126,000 square-foot Spirit maintenance facility, constructed in 2017 at a cost of $32 million, is equipped with a standard foam-based fire suppression system designed to quickly extinguish potential fires. However, such systems are known to be highly corrosive to sensitive aircraft components, including wiring, avionics, and cabin interiors.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Paolla Oliveira, 43, exibe seu tamanho real em novas fotos.
Boite A Scoop
by Taboola
by Taboola
At approximately 5 PM on July 4, the suppression system was unintentionally activated, despite the absence of fire. Foam filled the hangar and spread out through open doors onto the ramp area. Among the affected aircraft were an
Airbus
A321 and an A320 inside the facility, along with three additional aircraft parked outside.
— fl360aero (@fl360aero)
Live Events
Cleanup underway, flight operations unaffected
Spirit Airlines confirmed that there were no injuries as a result of the incident and that flight operations have not been disrupted. A contractor has been hired to oversee the cleanup, with first responders assisting in immediate containment efforts.
Industry estimates suggest that even minimal foam exposure can require cleaning costs of around $100,000 per aircraft. In more severe cases, damage could exceed $10 million, depending on the extent of corrosion and required component replacement.
Aircraft fire suppression foam is particularly damaging if not removed within 24 hours, as it can affect electronics, engines, and interior materials. Detailed inspections are currently underway to assess the full extent of damage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Multiple challenges persist across Andhra Pradesh's wildlife sanctuaries
1 2 Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh, characterised by diverse ecosystems ranging from wetlands and forests to grasslands, hosts a significant network of protected areas that are crucial for biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of ecological functions. A management effectiveness evaluation conducted by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change for the 2020–2025 period, across two cycles and multiple national parks (NPs) and wildlife sanctuaries (WLSs) in the state, revealed a mixed picture. While some progress has been made in conservation and management practices, several persistent challenges continue to hinder the full realisation of ecological and social objectives. For example, Papikonda national park exemplifies some of these challenges. Of the 47 villages within the park, only three have been fully relocated, impeding habitat restoration and effective management. Infrastructural deficiencies, such as poor road connectivity and inadequate communication facilities, further undermine conservation efforts. Additionally, the ongoing Polavaram irrigation project is altering habitats and threatening the park's ecological balance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Kambalakonda WLS, located on the urban fringes of Visakhapatnam, faces mounting pressure from urbanisation. Although it serves as a vital green lung for the city, its ecological integrity is compromised by the presence of a village within its boundaries, leading to biotic disturbances. Its isolation from other forested landscapes exacerbates human-wildlife conflict by restricting natural wildlife corridors. The report recommends exploring the soft release of a captive-bred population of wild dogs from Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, which could help restore natural predation dynamics and enhance ecological balance. Kolleru WLS presents a different set of challenges, particularly in managing its complex freshwater wetland ecosystem. Although illegal fishing and aquaculture are under reasonable control, the absence of an approved management plan remains a critical administrative bottleneck. Siltation in water channels reduces inflow, threatening the wetland's ecological stability. Conservation efforts are further complicated by local hostility, stemming from land acquisition issues and the revocation of traditional fishing rights. Koundinya WLS, part of the Rayala Elephant Reserve, is home to approximately half of Andhra Pradesh's elephant population. Despite the use of mitigation measures such as electric fencing and trenches to reduce human-elephant conflict, the sanctuary faces serious management constraints. An expired management plan, a 35% shortage of frontline staff, porous borders prone to poaching, and limited funding all weaken the effectiveness of conservation activities. In the avian context, Nellapattu WLS is a critical breeding and roosting site for around 15,000 birds, including 1,700 Grey Pelicans and several other waterbird species. However, its wetland habitat is threatened by periodic droughts and fluctuating water levels, which destabilise bird populations. The report's recommendation to study fish populations as a sustainable food base underscores the need to ensure food security for these species, linking habitat health directly to conservation outcomes. Rollapadu WLS, dedicated to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), presents a particularly concerning scenario. The GIB population is believed to have declined beyond recovery, posing a major conservation challenge. While other grassland species such as the Lesser Florican persist, the sanctuary's isolation and surrounding land-use changes continue to threaten the remaining grassland biodiversity.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Church takes lead to set environment goals for community
Mumbai: Sunday evening saw over 100 members of the Christian community gather at Salvation Kendra, Dadar, to chalk out an environmental action plan for the 124 parishes of the Bombay Archdiocese. The event was organised by the Archdiocesan Office for Environment (AOE), a department committed to creating awareness on climate change in the community. The consultation, called 'Implementing the Vision of Laudato Si', was held to discuss the framework developed by the Rome-based Laudato Si Action Platform. The Laudato Si is a papal encyclical or public letter drawn up by Pope Francis in 2015, that highlights material and moral implications of climate change and biodiversity loss and emphasises care for the environment and people—its guidance anchored in Christian theology and doctrine. The event was attended by Archbishop John Rodrigues, Bishop Allwyn D'Silva (in charge of AOE), members of Green Cells (parish environmental groups), and Eco Ambassadors, who are participants of an environmental course conducted by the AOE. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The framework proposes seven goals, with actions and timelines, categorised under the following headers: Response to the cry of the earth; Response to the cry of the poor; Ecological economics; Adoption of sustainable lifestyles; Ecological education; Ecological spirituality; and Community resilience and empowerment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo A ctions proposed require that each parish frame guidelines by 2026, establish a Green Cell and enlist at least five Eco Ambassadors by 2030. In five years, the archdiocese aims to have every parish in the city switch over completely to renewable energy, install rainwater harvesting facilities, achieve 100% shroud burials, and discontinue use of flower bouquets. By 2027, each parish is to conduct an energy audit. Environmental themes would be incorporated in prayer services and parishes should organise interfaith gatherings to discuss common civic challenges. It also recommends that parishes draft an emergency-response plan for environmental disasters and form and train local disaster response teams. The archdiocese will also work towards creating a database of green vendors and nonprofits that provide environmental services and will urge parishioners to patronise them. On their part, churches are to organise white elephant stalls and thrift sales biannually to encourage people to embrace sustainability and reduce waste. Fr. Luke Rodrigues, head of the AOE, says, "We will implement this mission by electing 'model parishes' in each deanery (a geographical sector within the archdiocese), train them in good practices, and direct them to train neighbouring parishes in turn."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Radial gates of 64k cusec discharge capacity to be fitted in Maha's oldest dam
Kolhapur: Radial gates with a discharge capacity of 64,000 cusecs will be fitted into Radhanagari Dam — the oldest in Maharashtra — built across Bhogawati river, one of the five tributaries of Panchganga in Kolhapur. The construction of the dam started in 1909 and was funded by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. It was completed in 1935 and came into full use three years later. The design of the dam was made by M Visvesvaraya, who later came to be known as the "father of engineering" in India. The decision to fit radial gates, which can be operated remotely, was taken to ensure that the dam has adequate buffer capacity to accommodate water inflow during monsoon. Currently, the automatic gates can open only after the dam is full, posing a risk of floods after sudden discharge. "The radial gates will help us carry out the discharge beforehand and make space for inflow. We have got the design of the radial gates prepared by Central Designs Organisation (CDO) Nashik. The hydraulic hoists will also be fitted to lift the automatic gates whenever required. The total cost of the project is Rs88 crore," said Smita Mane, executive engineer, Kolhapur Irrigation Circle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo Recently, district guardian minister Prakash Abitkar visited the dam. He said that to stop Panchganga river from flooding, various measures have been suggested by experts, one of which is fitting radial gates into the dam. "The World Bank has approved Maharashtra Resilient Development Programme through which the works will be carried out. The hydraulic hoists will be installed to open three service gates," said Abitkar. Rainfall intensity in Kolhapur city has decreased, but heavy rainfall continues in dam catchment areas of Kolhapur district. The dams in the district are filling up quickly, and out of 17 dams, discharge is on from 16. Except for Chikotra dam, water is being discharged from all other dams. Radhanagari has been discharging 3,100 cusecs, Warna 4,500 cusecs, Dudhganga 1,500 cusecs, Kasari 1,000 cusecs, Ghatprabha 5,800 cusecs, and Dhamani 2,803 cusecs, among others, have the highest discharge in the district. According to district disaster management officials, the ongoing discharge from dams has caused the rivers in the district to flow above their water-holding capacity. A total of 29 roads and 48 barrages in the district are inundated, significantly affecting local traffic movement. On Monday evening at 7 pm, the water level of Panchaganga river dropped slightly to 31.1 feet at Rajaram barrage in Kasba Bawda area of Kolhapur city. The warning level is 39 feet, and the danger level is 43 feet. A discharge of 32,456 cusecs was on from Rajaram barrage. Kolhapur district received 16.1 mm of rainfall over last 24 hours till 10am on Monday. Gaganbawda received the highest rainfall of 40.3 mm, followed by Shahuwadi with 27.7 mm, and Panhala with 27.5 mm.
