Chaos erupted on an American Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Dallas-Fort Worth on November 19 when a passenger attempted to open the aircraft door mid-flight, 30,000 feet above the ground. The unruly individual claimed he urgently needed to “exit the aircraft now,” according to incident reports. The situation escalated rapidly, with the man assaulting a flight attendant and injuring her neck and wrist.
Flight 1915, an Airbus A319, became the scene of a heroic intervention as fellow passengers leaped into action to subdue the man, preventing what could have been a catastrophic event.
Passengers Turn Heroes
As the man lunged toward the plane’s front door, a flight attendant courageously positioned herself to block his access. When he grew more aggressive, passengers, including Doug McCright, sprang into action. McCright bear-hugged the individual from behind and pinned him to the floor, stating later, “I was bound and determined, he wasn’t getting off that plane.”
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Other passengers joined in, using duct tape provided by flight attendants to restrain the man’s wrists, knees, and ankles. The group held him subdued for approximately 30 minutes until the flight safely landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Flight Crew Injured in the Scuffle
The disruptive passenger reportedly assaulted multiple flight attendants during his outburst. One suffered injuries to her neck and wrist while protecting the door. Another was placed in a “semi choke hold” during the confrontation, according to eyewitnesses and safety reports.
Despite these injuries, the crew’s quick thinking and the decisive actions of passengers ensured the situation was contained without further harm.
FAA and FBI Respond
Upon landing, law enforcement officers from the FBI and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety boarded the aircraft. The passenger was taken into custody for a mental health evaluation. No criminal charges have been announced yet, though the investigation remains ongoing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it would investigate the incident. American Airlines released a statement thanking its team members and customers for their bravery and composure during the ordeal.
Growing Concern for Airlines
This incident highlights a troubling trend in unruly passenger behavior on flights. The FAA has reported at least 1,854 disruptive behavior cases so far in 2023, although this marks a decline from the 5,973 incidents in 2021. The agency has enforced a zero-tolerance policy for such misconduct, issuing over 400 enforcement actions and $7.5 million in fines this year.
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Airlines have faced a growing number of severe disruptions, including physical assaults on passengers and crew members. Recent high-profile cases include a United Airlines passenger attacking another traveler and a Frontier Airlines passenger threatening to kill everyone onboard.