American Airlines passengers restrain unruly man who tried to open cabin door: Reports

Posted by Admin November 21, 2024 Travel

Passengers on an American Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Dallas used duct tape to restrain a Canadian man trying to open a cabin door on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports citing airport officials.

The unruly passenger asked a flight attendant on flight 1915 to open a cabin door mid-flight − saying “he needed to exit the plane immediately” − and grew agitated when she declined, according to a report issued by the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety and obtained by multiple media outlets, including KDFW-TV and ABC News.

The man then rushed the 79-year-old flight attendant in an effort to reach the door, which she was blocking, according to the report. That’s when three fellow passengers helped the flight attendant and pinned the man down, taping his legs and wrists to restrain him, the report said.

The plane subsequently landed at Dallas-Fort Worth at around 10 a.m.

USA TODAY was working to obtain the report but an airport spokeswoman declined multiple requests Tuesday, saying they needed to be reviewed by the legal department.

Airport spokesman Zachary Greiner only confirmed that there was “a disruptive passenger” on the flight and that officers took him into custody. The FBI Dallas Field Office also told USA TODAY that its agents responded to the flight, as well.

Flight attendant was injured

Officers of both departments boarded the plane once it landed in Dallas, KDFW reported.

Reports also say the flight attendant’s wrist and neck were injured due to the altercation and had to be taken to the hospital but has since been released. The man was taken away for a mental evaluation.

American Airlines did not return USA TODAY’s request for comment Wednesday.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.