American Airlines flight forced to divert over busted toilets
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An American Airlines flight from Madrid to Dallas-Fort Worth was diverted after six of the plane’s eight bathrooms stopped working during the 10-hour transatlantic journey.
American Airlines Flight 37, carrying 287 passengers and crew, landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York Tuesday afternoon after pilots reported that the Boeing 777 had an “inadequate number of operational lavatories,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
With only two bathrooms still functioning, the crew decided to make an unscheduled stop in New York rather than continue the flight.
As the plane approached JFK, the pilot told air traffic control, according to CNN: “We have only two potties operating on board for American 37.”
The controller confirmed the situation, asking: “You said only two potties. Is that right?”
“That’s affirmative,” the pilot replied.
The pilot declared a “pan-pan,” an international aviation alert used when there is an urgent problem that needs attention but is not considered life-threatening.
The plane still had more than four hours of fuel on board when it diverted, making it heavier than it normally would be when landing. That extra weight can make landing more challenging and increase the risk of the brakes overheating.
The Boeing 777 landed safely at JFK, where it remained for more than three hours before continuing on to Dallas, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
The Independent has contacted American Airlines for comment.
