Never Mind It Hitting the Fan

Ever since the dinosaurs failed to look up, and paid for their neglect with extinction - not that they would have been able to do much beyond a prayer even if they had looked up to see an approaching asteroid - humans have been nervous of things falling from the sky. While the sky falling on one's head, a fear that dogs Chief Vitalstatistix, is fatalistic, objects dropping is a randomised fear that can happen anywhere, anytime, even though very rarely. Such a statistically slim but palpable concern came true when human excreta from a passing airplane plopped on a man and his garden in Windsor, Britain, in July. Not earth-shattering news, the incident, however, did make news when it was raised in an aviation forum earlier this week. Falling faeces from flying planes is not something humanity needs to add to its list of worries and woes. But it has landed.

Passenger waste is stored in special tanks that are disposed of once the planes land. Also, the waste takes on the form of 'blue ice', frozen in blocks - not the 'fluidy' stuff that fell on the poor man, his garden umbrellas and grass. This 'phenomenon' is extremely rare and insurance is iffy about it covering a dump clause. Incidentally, the poor, pooped-upon gentlemen decided not to raise a shitstorm. But we do request that you also look up next time you cross the road.