Flight Attendants Scoop Human Waste After Toilet Failure on 15-Hour Trip

A routine trip from Los Angeles to Manila turned into a logistical "number two" for the crew of Philippine Airlines Flight PR113. Mid-way through the 15-hour trek, the Boeing 777 suffered a total flushing system failure. With the Pacific Ocean below and no working toilets, the crew was forced to choose between a messy situation and a massive diversion.

Making a Splash in Mid-Air

Rather than landing early, the crew reportedly stepped up to the plate, and the bowl, manually removing waste to prevent the lavatories from overflowing. It was a crappy job, but someone had to do it. The airline confirmed the malfunction occurred on the January 11, 2026, flight, noting that while Guam was ready for a diversion, the team decided to push through to Manila.

The Official Word from the Cockpit

Philippine Airlines released a statement regarding the "stalled" situation:
“Philippine Airlines confirms that an in-flight lavatory malfunction occurred on PR113... The flight was prepared for a possible diversion... After technical and operational assessment by the flight and cabin crew, the flight continued to Manila.”

The airline added that by the time they hit the final approach, the toilets miraculously started working again. They praised the staff’s "professionalism and dedication" for managing the icky incident.

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Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils

While the situation was certainly "log-jammed," diverting to Guam would have added hours of delays and massive costs.

“Philippine Airlines... is conducting an internal review to establish the full facts. It would be premature to comment on specific claims while this process is ongoing.”