An unruly passenger on a United Airlines flight to Florida assaulted a flight attendant and then managed to partially open the main cabin door before being subdued by other passengers, including an off-duty US Marshal, in a terrifying incident that could result in the suspect serving 20 years in prison.
After receiving an automatic alert that the cabin had been penetrated, the pilots of the Embraer E45 regional jet operated by CommutAir on behalf of United Express declared an emergency and safely landed the plane.
Following the April 16, 2021 incident, Kameron C. Stone, 29, of Fairfax, Virginia, pleaded guilty to two counts of interfering with flight crew and assault in a recently revealed plea agreement.
Stone could also face a fine of up to $250,000 for interfering with a flight crew and a year in prison for assault. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors have declined to propose a shorter sentence.
During the two-and-a-half-hour flight from Dulles to Pensacola, witnesses say Stone became “loud and obnoxious” and smelled strongly of alcohol, according to witnesses.
Stone harassed other passengers verbally and with his ‘finger guns,’ forcing a flight attendant to scold him regularly.
“I’m trying to get out of here,” Stone said as he stood up from his seat and reached for the cockpit door. Stone was told to take his seat by the flight attendant who had blocked the door.
Stone rose up and approached the cockpit once more during the final descent into Pensacola.
The flight attendant attempted to halt him, but he collided with her, pushed and grabbed her, and slammed her head into the galley wall.
He then managed to partially open the main cabin door, causing an emergency landing and an alarm in the cockpit.
The flight attendant desperately clutched Stone’s hand to keep him from fully opening the door, yelling “shut the door!” as she yanked on the door handle.
Three people leaped from their seats and jumped on Stone, holding him down until law enforcement arrived.
Stone admitted to consuming alcohol aboard the plane, as well as having consumed many drinks prior to boarding.
Over the last 18 months, an increase in rowdy passenger events has been attributed to alcohol consumption.
Despite flight attendant union opposition, most airlines have now reintroduced full alcohol service.
The airline’s “egregious” plan to restore alcohol service on February 16 has enraged the Southwest Airlines flight attendant union.
