According to airport authorities, a flight attendant sustained injuries while attempting to prevent a potentially disruptive individual from opening the cabin door on an aircraft operated by American Airlines from Milwaukee to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Tuesday.
During the time that the pilots were successfully landing the plane, a number of passengers immediately jumped in to assist and held the man down. Eventually, they duct-taped his wrists and ankles.
At approximately ten minutes after the jet touched down on Tuesday morning, DFW Airport police and FBI agents were able to intercept the man and take him into custody for the purpose of conducting a mental health evaluation.
After informing a flight attendant that he needed to exit the aircraft, the passenger reportedly became aggressive, according to the authorities.
An investigation conducted by the Department of Public Safety at DFW Airport found that:
- When the man approached the flight attendant, she was working in the front galley. At first, she thought he was throwing away a cup.
- Immediately after praising her watch and facemask, the man informed her that he needed to leave the flight as soon as possible.
- According to the flight attendant, his speech became increasingly irritated and louder, which prompted her to request assistance and signal passengers who were nearby.
- For the purpose of preventing the man from entering the cabin, she positioned herself between him and the door.
- As she pulled herself together to block the door, the man charged at her and struck her with a powerful blow.
- An additional passenger made an attempt to communicate with the individual, who asserted that he was the “Captain” and insisted on alighting from the aircraft.
- The individual continued to be uncooperative in spite of the intervention of other people.
- In the end, it took three people to successfully detain the man and have him remain on the ground.
- According to the law enforcement officials at DFW Airport, the flight attendant was transported to Medical City Las Colinas for treatment of injuries to her left hand and neck.
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we thank our team members and customers for managing a difficult situation,” American Airlines said in a statement that was released.
Both the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting their own investigations at the same time.