Just plane lucky: couple escape as ice from aircraft pierces roof
Chunks fell from jet as it neared Calgary
•A Calgary couple say they are lucky to be alive after ice from a passing aircraft tore through the roof of their home in the city’s southeast Dover neighbourhood Friday evening.
Theresa and Richard Couch had just settled down in their living room to watch the Flames game when a noise that sounded like an explosion reverberated through the house.
“It was like an explosion,” said Theresa as she pointed up at a giant hole in the roof of their back landing. “It sounded like all the dishes, pots and pans had come crashing out of the cupboard, but it was ice.”
Occupying their home in the 100 Block of Doverthorn Bay S. E. for the past 42 years, the couple said they’ve grown accustomed to the constant sound of planes flying overhead. Calgary police confirmed that the home is situated directly under the flight path of planes landing at the Calgary International Airport.
But large chunks of ice careening through the roof was something neither of them were prepared for.
“Can you imagine something like that coming off a plane, doing 400 miles an hour?” said Richard.
The i ncident occurred around 6: 40 p. m., with the two chunks of ice creating a hole large enough to see sunlight coming through it Saturday morning.
Theresa said she had been up and down the back stairs doing laundry, and she feels extremely lucky to have been safely in the living room when the ice struck.
“We wouldn’t be here today if that ever hit us,” she said, holding up two chunks of ice, each about the size of a grapefruit.
“I usually have a bath every night, but last night I didn’t — I didn’t want to be the woman found dead in her bathtub.”
WestJet spokeswoman Lauren Stewart confirmed that the ice fell from a WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 coming into Calgary from Regina Friday evening. With a preliminary investigation underway, Stewart said WestJet is working closely with local authorities and Nav Canada.
“We are in the process of inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of this incident,” she said.
“This is a most unfortunate incident for the family whose home was damaged, and we will be reaching out to pay for all necessary repairs to their home.”
Feeling l ucky, Richard said he went out and bought a lottery ticket the next day for good measure.
“It’s probably the same as getting struck by lightning,” Theresa said with a laugh. “We’re leery now, but we’re alive and that’s the main thing. It’s very dangerous those planes going over, but there’s not much we can do.”
WE WOULDN’T BE HERE TODAY IF THAT EVER HIT US.