Multiple passengers traveling on an American Airlines flight helped to restrain a passenger after he allegedly tried to open the cabin door mid-flight.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, AA Flight 1915 was heading to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Milwaukee when the disruptive passenger approached a flight attendant on board, according to a DFW Department of Public Safety report.
The man walked towards the attendant who was standing in the front galley of the aircraft, and the crew member initially thought he wanted to throw out his cup, per the report. He then allegedly “made a comment to her about wanting and needing to exit the aircraft now.”
According to the attendant’s statement, the passenger started raising his voice as he became “more agitated,” so she called for help from the flight attendants at the rear of the aircraft.
The crew member placed herself between the passenger and the door he allegedly wanted to open, and that’s when he “turned towards her and rushed her and the door,” per the document.
The attendant reported to authorities that she was “hit hard” by the passenger but she “braced her arms out sideways” to keep blocking the door. Another passenger then jumped in to help and he “bear hugged” the disruptive traveler.
Another flight attendant said other passengers then rushed to help restrain the passenger who allegedly kept repeating that he needed to “get off the flight.”
One of the passengers who jumped in to assist told authorities that he heard a flight attendant “screaming for help,” and that he then used tape to help restrain the passenger’s wrists and legs.
Once they got the disruptive passenger on his stomach and on the floor, it reportedly “took 3 people to keep him down,” per the report.
The flight arrived safely at Terminal C where police officers were waiting to meet the aircraft. When the door was opened, authorities reported that they observed the restrained passenger “lying on his stomach with his hands behind his back bound with duct tape,” per the report.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The passenger was then transferred to a wheelchair and transported off the aircraft. The flight attendant who was injured while blocking the cabin door was taken to Medical City Las Colinas Hospital in Irving, Texas.
PEOPLE reached out to American Airlines for comment but did not receive an immediate reply.
Read the full article here
