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Passenger disrupts American Airlines flight; faces multiple charges

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By Sky Industry News

Aug 1, 2024

Two weeks ago, a New Jersey man caused American Airlines flight 2102 from Seattle to Dallas-Fort Worth to divert.

Shortly after takeoff, the man refused to stay seated and began shouting and screaming. He vaped and locked himself in the lavatory. He eventually came out and attempted to open the aircraft’s emergency exit doors at both the front and rear of the Airbus A321. He also propositioned a flight attendant for sex.

Crew members and passengers subdued the man and restrained him with flex cuffs. The captain diverted the plane to Salt Lake City, where he was removed by officers, shirtless at this point. As he proceeded down the aisle and off the aircraft, he sang “You say potato, I say potato.”

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Upon his arrest, he was taken to an airport holding cell where he screamed, banged his handcuffs against the cell window, cracked glass, and verbally abused medical staff at a local hospital where he was ultimately taken for observation.

The man has now been indicted on charges of interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft, with penalties up to 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine. He also faces state charges in Utah, including two third-degree felonies and a Class-C misdemeanor.

While it is generally impossible to open an aircraft’s emergency exit door at cruising altitude due to the pressure difference between the cabin and outside air pressure. In May 2023, however, an Asiana passenger managed to open an exit door as the plane approached landing at a low enough altitude where pressure didn’t fully secure the door.