Due to a rowdy passenger, an American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. had to be diverted and make an emergency landing in Kansas City.
An American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) spokesperson confirmed to AeroTime that flight AA1775 with service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was diverted to Kansas City (MCI) on February 13, 2022 “due to an unruly passenger displaying erratic behavior”. The spokesperson added that the passenger was “ultimately subdued by our crew and with the help of other passengers”.
Today, we witnessed another dangerous, life-threatening incident on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles, CA, to Washington, D.C., when a passenger attempted to open the forward passenger door…1/3
— Association of Professional Flight Attendants (@APFAunity) February 13, 2022
A passenger attempted to break into the aircraft’s cockpit and open an emergency exit door, according to witnesses.
When flight attendants and fellow passengers attempted to control the rowdy person, passengers were able to record the situation.
According to witnesses, a flight attendant was forced to use a coffee pot as a weapon to attack the rowdy customer who tried to open the emergency exit door.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) flight attendants, verified in a tweet that the belligerent passenger attempted to open the aircraft’s forward passenger door.
According to American Airlines (A1G) (AAL), the flight arrived safely at Kansas City Airport (MCI), where the rowdy customer was met by law police.
The FBI have boarded flight #AA1775 and are going through the scene after a flight attendant used a coffee pot to strike a middle aged man multiple times who was attempting to open the plane door. pic.twitter.com/L7FYeedzuD
— Mouaz Moustafa (@SoccerMouaz) February 13, 2022
The flight was diverted owing to a passenger interfering with the flight crew, according to a statement made by the FBI Kansas City.
FBI Kansas City also said that, “The individual has been taken into custody. As this is an ongoing matter, the FBI is unable to comment further.”
Statement regarding a diverted flight to @KCIAirport earlier today, from FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub. pic.twitter.com/ql5cQRpbZM
— FBI Kansas City (@FBIKansasCity) February 13, 2022
American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) added: “We’re grateful to our crew members, who are consistently dedicated to the safety and care of our customers and who handled the circumstances with the utmost skill and professionalism. We also appreciate the customers who stepped in to assist our crew.”