Passenger disrupts American Airlines flight; faces multiple charges

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.