FAA Wraps Up Investigation of Falling 'Sludge' in Malverne

Inspectors for the Federal Aviation Administration arrived in Malverne to investigate that one local couple said fell from a passing plane Thursday night and onto their heads and home.

A spokeswoman for the FAA said the inspectors went to the Hughes residence on Nassau Boulevard Tuesday but "did not find any evidence of a black substance" in their yard or on their patio. (The couple's neighbor, Laurence Major Jr., told Patch that Friday's heavy rainstorm had washed away the evidence outside.)

"The homeowner did show the inspector a stain on his sweatshirt that he said happened that night..[and] told our inspectors that his wife's coat, that reportedly had the substance on it, also was at the cleaners," Arlene Salac, of FAA's External Communications, told Patch. She did not indicate if the inspectors had any theories on what the substance might be.

Salac did say the FAA was able to determine which aircraft flew over the residence around 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 23, when the Hughes were on their patio enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. However, she did not release any details about the aircraft, including the name of its carrier.

"FAA inspectors reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records and they did not show any evidence that the aircraft had leaked any fluids or had recent maintenance work done to repair any issues that would cause fluids to leak," Salac said. She explained that air carriers are required to do a pre-flight and a post flight inspection of the aircraft exteriors for each flight.

She added, "FAA inspectors are closing out the investigation." 

Patch has reached out to the FAA for further information and is awaiting a response. Check back for more updates.