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American Airlines Plane Grounded after Passenger Damages Cockpit

American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner Lands at Chicago O'Hare
American Airlines flight on runway. | Image from OntheRunPhoto

On Tuesday, January 11, an American Airlines flight, bound for Miami, Florida, was grounded at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in Honduras after a passenger damaged the plane.

The man reportedly bolted through the jetway and into the cockpit, destroying some of the controls. As reported by CBS News, the individual tried to leave through a window in the cockpit when the pilot interceded.

In a statement, American Airlines said, “Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement.”

The airline also expressed appreciation for its employees’ efforts, saying, “We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation.”

According to Fort Worth-based American Airlines, the disturbance occurred on Flight 488 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The flight was delayed eight hours while the airline brought in another plane to transport the passengers.

This most recent episode is just one of many examples of unruly passenger behavior that have been reported by airlines over the past year. The FAA reported 5,981 incidents in 2021.

In December 2021, the Dallas Express reported that two men were arrested at the Miami International Airport after an altercation with the police. 30-year-old Mayfrer Gregorio Serranopaca became disorderly when he would not allow an airport employee driving a cart to pass through a crowd.

Once police attempted to arrest Serranopaca, 32-year-old Alberto YanezSuarez attacked the officer. The pair were charged with the battery of a law enforcement officer.

In another incident, 28-year-old Vyvianna Quinonez pled guilty to “interfering with a flight crewmember or attendant.” In May 2021, Quinonez assaulted a flight attendant during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego when the attendant asked the woman to wear her face mask and follow safety guidelines as the plane descended.

After the assault, the employee was left with three chipped teeth and a swollen eye. Quinonez’s sentencing is set for March of this year. She could face up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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1 Comment

  1. Shelia

    Throw them in jail and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.

    Reply

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