Well here’s something that you don’t see every day, which makes for a good picture, but is probably less fun to clean up. 😉
In this post:
Spirit maintenance facility fire suppression system snafu
Spirit Airlines has one of its primary maintenance facilities at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). The $32 million facility was completed in 2017, and covers an area of around 126,000 square feet. As you’d expect, these facilities have all kinds of safety features, including a fire suppression system.
Well, at around 5PM on July 4, 2025, there was a storm in Detroit, and it’s believed that lightning near the facility may have accidentally triggered the fire suppression system, causing foam to not only fill the hangar, but also the area around it.
The visuals of this incident are kind of wild, as you can seen in the below video, taken from a plane that took off from the airport that day.
Now, you might think that this is harmless, as it almost looks like an airplane bubble bath. However, this foam poses a real risk to planes, because the foam’s chemical composition is corrosive, and can damage aircraft systems, including engines, electronics, and even cabin interiors.
So planes have had to be taken out of service due to this incident, though the carrier’s schedule isn’t impacted. I can’t help but be curious how long this cleanup effort will take.
What Spirit Airlines says about the incident
Spirit Airlines has issued the following statement regarding this incident:
On July 4, the fire suppression system at our Detroit (DTW) maintenance facility was inadvertently activated, which we believe was caused by lightning nearby. There was no fire, and no injuries were reported. Two aircraft parked inside the facility and one aircraft parked outside the facility were removed from service for inspection by our maintenance team. We have engaged a contractor to assist with cleanup efforts, and we thank first responders for their quick response and assistance. There is no impact to our flight operations.
Bottom line
A Spirit Airlines hangar was filled with foam on July 4, as the fire suppression system accidentally went off. It’s believed that this happened due to lightning near the facility. This foam can be corrosive, so planes need to be inspected prior to returning to service. Good thing they’re already in the maintenance facility, I suppose.
This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen something like this, though it’s quite rare…
Delta or Tim Dunn pulling a prank on Spirit.
Or Spirit ghetto foam party gone wrong.
I have an alibi.
you do notice that the wingtip with the video is a Delta aircraft?
This, my friends, is why you don't close the window shade and stick your nose in your device as soon as you board.
Delta's free WiFi can wait - or allow you to upload your video before the 10,000 foot ding.
Classy Tim.
The video didn't capture the burst as it happened.
All you proven isn't an alibi.
You only demonstrated you had a getaway flight after the sabotage.
It is not necessarily corrosive. Worked on planes all my life our hanger in New Mexico used harmless soap as the additive which most have switched over to. The combo of intense foam from soap and water extinguishes nearly any fire. Planes always get wet, engines get washed on periodic maintenance along with actually washing the engine internally with a engine safe soap. Usually after a maintence inspection the plane is washed. How is that...
It is not necessarily corrosive. Worked on planes all my life our hanger in New Mexico used harmless soap as the additive which most have switched over to. The combo of intense foam from soap and water extinguishes nearly any fire. Planes always get wet, engines get washed on periodic maintenance along with actually washing the engine internally with a engine safe soap. Usually after a maintence inspection the plane is washed. How is that done. Pressure washers, simple green soap that is sprayed on a bunch of us using brushes on sticks to scrub. Then you rinse her down with water.
Now if the doors were open water could get inside the interior but that is another mater.
The reason internal hanger foam dispensing systems use a soap based additive is from the EPA. All that foam will be washed out of the hanger and down the drain. Perfectly safe and eco.
Was there no one at least to move the 3 planes parked outside?
Worst.Foam.Party.Ever
Let's hope Spirit ( and their fire suppression contractors) didn't buy the ultra low cost insurance.
What is the environmental damage/impact of such a significant discharge of fire retardant, which does not seem to be addressed in the press statement? Hopefully not too much PFAST entered the water course through drainage systems ect....
Hopefully it was flourine-free foam. PFAS are "forever" chemicals that do not break down in nature.