FAA asks FBI to consider criminal charges against 22 unruly passengers β including for assault, attacking flight attendants, attempted cockpit break-in, making terror threats and smoking in the restroom
US officials said on Tuesday they have referred 22 more cases involving unruly passengers on airline flights to the FBI for possible criminal charges.
The allegations include sexually assaulting female passengers, assaulting flight attendants, attempting to break into the cockpit, making terror threats and smoking in aircraft toilets.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the incidents occurred as early as late 2021 and as late as April this year.
The FAA can demand fines of up to $37,000 against unruly passengers, but lacking the power to bring criminal charges; that’s why the agency refers some cases to the FBI.
A police officer stands guard at the Los Angeles airport. On Tuesday, US officials referred 22 cases of aircraft misconduct to the FBI
There have been 1,200 reports of ‘airplane rage’ so far this year – far fewer than the 6,000 in 2021
Reports of passengers performing on flights peaked in 2021, with many of the approximately 6,000 incidents involving anger over a mask requirement that has since expired.
The number fell below 2,500 last year and below 1,200 so far this year, the FAA said.
The FAA said it has referred more than 270 cases to the FBI since the end of 2021.
Attacks on flight attendants and other passengers became almost routine in 2021.
In December 2021, a Delta flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles was diverted after a passenger assaulted a flight attendant in the air and then called an Air Marshal.
The plane had to be diverted to Oklahoma City, and the male suspect, reportedly in his 30s, was taken off the plane in handcuffs. CBS reported.
The flight then continued to Los Angeles, where it was scheduled to land at 10:17 p.m. Pacific time, about two hours late.
The officer and flight attendant suffered no serious injuries and did not require hospitalization.
Flight DL342 took off from Reagan National Airport at 5:16 p.m. local time, but an altercation broke out in the air
An unnamed passenger assaulted a flight attendant and then turned on an air marshal.
It is not clear what the dispute was about
The plane had to be diverted to Oklahoma City, and the male suspect, reportedly in his 30s, was taken off the plane in handcuffs
Oklahoma City Police Department Captain Arthur Gregory said an Air Marshal attempted to take the suspect into custody after he “attacked a flight attendant” but that he “continued to assault the air marshal.”
In April of this year, two British men were told they were facing federal charges in the US after their plane from Mexico to Britain was forced to divert to Maine.
US prosecutors said Damien Murphy and his friend Anthony Kirby, both 36, were detained for their extremely disruptive behavior.
The pair are said to have vacationed with other friends over the New Year’s weekend.
About six armed officers boarded the Tui flight from Cancun shortly after it was forced to land at Bangor International Airport in Maine after it was alleged that the pair had verbally and physically assaulted passengers and crew.
Pictured: Damien Jake Murphy (left) and Anthony Joseph James Kirby (right), both 36 and from Manchester, were detained by US officers and charged with federal crimes. They could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted
In a video filmed by a passenger, the first man, carrying a black bag and a red plastic bag, walks down the aisle laughing as police escort him, followed by his friend, who pushes past an officer.
The two then engage in a verbal altercation with others on board, with one yelling, “Get off.”
One of the men responds by yelling, “F**got.”
A third man dressed in black quietly walks out of the plane, followed by the American police.
Murphy and Kirby, both from Manchester, have been charged with federal offenses and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A third man, whose name has not been released, has not been charged.
And in April of this year, a first-class passenger went viral after he was filmed bursting into tears when he was arrested over an altercation over a pre-take-off gin and tonic.
The unknown man had supposedly asked for the cocktail but was refused by officers – leading to an argument that led to staff calling the police.
Social media was quick to take down the βman childβ who was later filmed sobbing as he was arrested on the American Airlines flight jet bridge.
The clip begins with the man being ordered to leave by officers – which he refuses.
Fellow passengers are heard begging the man to leave the plane, but he remains seated while arguing with officers.
A first-class passenger has gone viral after being filmed bursting into tears when he was arrested following an argument over a pre-take-off gin and tonic
At one point he takes out his phone to record the altercation, but it is promptly removed from his hand.
Officers then drag him from his seat and argue with him in the aisle.
The man yells “stop” repeatedly before bursting into tears.
After finally exiting the plane, he continues to whimper as he falls to the ground and is pinned down by officers who handcuff him.
It is not clear why he was refused the gin and tonic or how the situation escalated.
Under American Airlines rules, first-class passengers are entitled to a pre-takeoff drink.
The man reportedly complained that he was not guilty of a crime.
However, the U.S. Department of Transportation says airlines may remove any passenger for reasons related to “safety, security, or health risks, or due to conduct deemed obscene, disruptive, or otherwise unlawful.”