Now, here’s a sight you definitely don’t encounter every day. It makes for quite the photo op, but I bet scrubbing it off is anything but fun. 😉
Spirit Airlines’ Foam Fiasco
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is home to one of Spirit Airlines’ premier maintenance facilities. This $32 million behemoth was finished back in 2017 and sprawls over a vast 126,000 square feet. As you’d expect, it’s kitted out with spiffy safety features, including a fire suppression system.
But as clocks struck 5PM on July 4, 2025, Mother Nature decided to get a little mischievous. A storm struck Detroit, and it seems that a nearby lightning bolt mistakenly flipped the “on” switch for the fire suppression system. The result? Foam. And lots of it, covering not just the hangar but spilling around it too.
The scene looks spellbinding, especially when you catch it from the air. There’s even a video to prove it, taken aboard a plane flying out of the airport that day.
Thinking it’s all just a harmless burst of airplane bubbles? Well, not quite. This isn’t your garden-variety foam. The concoction is corrosive, capable of wreaking havoc on crucial airplane systems — engines, electronics, and the cozy cabin interiors included.
As you can guess, planes had to be pulled out of service for this incident, but kudos to Spirit, the flight schedule hasn’t taken a hit. One does wonder, though, just how long it’ll take to mop up this colossal sudsy mess.
Troubles For Spirit Continue
Amidst trying times for Spirit Airlines, this incident adds another challenging chapter. The jets affected are in for a thorough examination — after all, you don’t want to mess around with anything that nasty foam has touched. Think of it as a hyper-vigilant spa day, but less relaxing!
Spirit Airlines Breaks the Silence
Spirit Airlines had something to say about this wet-and-wild adventure:
On July 4, the fire suppression system at our Detroit (DTW) maintenance facility was accidentally activated, likely due to a nearby lightning strike. Thankfully, no fires and no injuries occurred. We’ve taken two planes parked inside and one outside the facility out of service for maintenance inspection. We’ve also called in a contractor for a thorough cleanup. Our deepest gratitude goes to first responders for their prompt aid. There’s no disruption to our flight operations.
The Inevitable Bottom Line
Come July 4, a hangar belonging to Spirit Airlines turned into a foam-filled paradise thanks to an accidental trigger of the fire suppression system. Blame it on the lightning strikes flirting a little too close to the facility. That foam isn’t friendly, and it spells “damage,” which means every airplane caught in the crossfire will get a full health check-up before flying the skies again. Perk of being in the maintenance shop already, right?
While not entirely unprecedented, these incidents are few and far between. So, it’s safe to say it’s less frequent than your yearly pilgrimage to the Val Seny ski resort.