'Poop Rain' Mystery Goes Unsolved In Burnsville

BURNSVILLE, MN — There are still more questions than answers in Burnsville's "poop rain" mystery dating back to more than three months ago.

On the morning of May 15, residents in Burnsville reported brown excrement falling onto their cars from above. The incident prompted Rep. Angie Craig to ask the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate.

"Considering the flight paths in the area, we have reason to suspect that it could have come from an aircraft mid-flight," Craig wrote in a letter to FAA head Billy Nolen, adding that "my constituents have the right to live their lives without the threat of sewage getting in their coffee."

The second-term congresswoman said while in office, her constituents have reported a variety of concerns related to the region's airports, and said this most recent report of "flying fecal matter" is indicative of a larger issue.

A spokeswoman told Patch Friday that Craig's office is still looking at the next steps, but they did receive a response on June 5 from Lawrence Fields, the acting executive director for flight standards service at the FAA.

Find Cragis' initial questions and Fields' answers below:

Has a report been filed with the FAA regarding the May 15th incident?

Our database does not indicate that a complaint was filed with the FAA regarding
this event.

What safety measures are in place to prevent leakage of fecal matter mid-flight?

Current regulatory framework prohibits aircraft operators from operating an
aircraft unless that aircraft is in an airworthy condition; lavatory systems and its
components are included in this requirement.

In instances where a plane’s septic tank leaks, what has the airline, airport and FAA done to report it to the affected community?

When the FAA receives a complaint regarding this topic, the FAA conducts an
investigation and works with the aircraft operator, if identified, to ensure they take
the appropriate corrective action.

What power does FAA hold to decrease the likelihood of these leaks?

FAA safety assurance offices conduct routine surveilleance to ensure aircraft
operators are in compliance with the current regulatory framework regarding
aircraft airworthiness requirements.

How many leaks, as of this letter, have occurred within the Metropolitan Airport
Commission?

The FAA does not have data surrounding the number of complaints associated
with lavatory leaks.

Which entity is responsible for the damage and clean-up of septic tank leaks?

This is the responsibility of the aircraft operator and/or owner.