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Passenger attempts cockpit breach, restrained on American Airlines flight from São Paulo

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Passenger attempts cockpit breach, restrained on American Airlines flight from São Paulo
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American Airlines | Official Website

A first-class passenger aboard an American Airlines flight from São Paulo to New York attempted to enter the cockpit just before takeoff, resulting in a physical restraint by crew members and a significant delay. The incident took place on Flight AA950 on the night of April 24, causing a postponement of more than two hours.

Video footage from social media shows the passenger confronting the flight crew near the cockpit, yelling profanities, and resisting efforts to calm her. She was eventually knocked to the floor and restrained before being seated again. Another disruptive passenger was also removed from the aircraft alongside her.

According to the flight magazine Aeroin, the woman's behavior began during taxiing after she questioned the delay and verbally engaged a flight attendant. When a pilot exited the cockpit, she moved towards the open door, prompting physical intervention from a crew member.

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Cell phone footage reveals the woman shouting in both Portuguese and English, threatening a crew member. A male passenger further escalated the situation by yelling at crew members. The incident led the aircraft to return to the boarding gate to de-escalate the confrontation.

American Airlines commented on the incident, stating that the flight returned to the gate due to "a security issue onboard." They emphasized that "the safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority."

In another video that gained traction online, the woman is seen being restrained and directed back to her seat before her removal. The cockpit door was open at the time, and crew members struggled to close it. During the altercation, the woman loudly protested her treatment, and another passenger also expressed anger before cabin crew intervened to defuse the tension.

After returning to the gate, law enforcement escorted both the woman and the male passenger off the flight. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, eventually resumed its journey to New York more than two hours later.

This is one in a series of recent disruptive incidents aboard commercial flights. Earlier in the month, a similar situation occurred on another American Airlines flight involving an attempted cockpit breach. These incidents continue to highlight the importance of strict security protocols surrounding cockpit access.

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