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This is the kind of in-flight chaos nobody expects when they board a plane.
An American Airlines passenger was restrained with duct tape and zip ties after an alleged violent outburst aboard a flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday.
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According to People, American Airlines Flight 618 was about two hours into its journey when the crew encountered what the airline described as a “disruptive customer.” The situation became serious enough that the plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where law enforcement arrested the unidentified man.
Passengers described an alarming scene. CNN reported that the man allegedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs at crew members and fellow passengers and struck at least two people.
Juan Mejia, who was sitting two rows ahead, told CBS News:
“All of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos. I turned around to look, and the poor gentleman that was sitting next to him in the aisle seat, the individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him.”
Richard Olenick, who was sitting in the same row, alleged:
“[The man] called one of the flight attendants the N word.”
Mejia said he and other passengers attempted to intervene, but the confrontation reportedly escalated. He told CBS News:
“He bit my hand. He didn’t break skin, just left teeth marks on my hand. We were covered in his blood. He was bleeding quite a bit from cuts that he inflicted on himself.”
The passenger was ultimately restrained in his first-class seat with duct tape and zip ties around his hands for approximately 15 minutes while the aircraft landed, according to the news outlets.
Passengers reportedly saw a flight attendant give the man one drink during the flight. However, it remains unknown whether alcohol played any role in the incident.
For its part, American Airlines said:
“Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination. The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.”
The man was reportedly booked on state charges in Maryland by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
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The FBI confirmed as much to People, saying:
“One man is under arrest on state charges in Maryland, booked by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. The FBI is currently conducting interviews to gather the facts and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed. As always for any instances involving crimes aboard aircraft, we encourage victims and witnesses to report incidents to flight crew, local airport police, and the FBI.”
Wow…
[Image via Alberto Reyes/WENN]
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