A Frontier Airlines flight traveling from Denver to Detroit was forced to divert to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Wednesday following a lavatory sink leak that resulted in significant flooding throughout the main cabin, as confirmed by air traffic control radio audio.
Frontier flight 3655 departed Denver International Airport shortly after 10:15 a.m., en route to Detroit Metro Airport, before the diversion became necessary.
According to the audio recording, the pilot declared an emergency after the sink located at the front of the aircraft began leaking. The volume of water that escaped was substantial enough to flood the main cabin, prompting serious concern. The pilot communicated to air traffic control that the extent of the water damage raised concerns about potential harm to the aircraft’s electronic systems. A request to land at O’Hare was subsequently made and approved by air traffic control.
Video footage shared on social media captured water visibly flowing from the front lavatory. A passenger aboard the flight informed CBS News Chicago that a plumber who happened to be traveling on the aircraft was able to successfully shut off the water supply. However, given the considerable amount of water that had already leaked, the crew proceeded with the emergency diversion.
Frontier Airlines officially confirmed that the diversion was necessitated by the leaking faucet and stated that no injuries were reported among either passengers or crew members.
The aircraft was directed to gate M40, where maintenance personnel conducted the necessary repairs. Frontier Airlines indicated that the flight would resume later that afternoon aboard a replacement aircraft, ensuring that passengers would reach their final destination.
