Man forced plane to make emergency landing after trying to open door mid-flight and hitting on flight attendant
Topics: Travel, US News, American Airlines
Alex Maxam
Featured Image Credit: KSL TV 5
Topics: Travel, US News, American Airlines
An American Airlines passenger has been charged after allegedly opening a plane's door mid-flight.
On 18 July, 2024, American Airlines flight 2101 set off from Seattle, Washington for Dallas, Texas. However, it was forced to divert and land at Salt Lake City International Airport after an incident occurred onboard involving a 26-year-old passenger.
Eric Nicholas Gapco from Delanco, New Jersey, is reported as having 'assaulted and intimidated a flight attendant and aircraft crew members' while onboard the aircraft, The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Utah's press release states.
The release alleges Gapco 'failed to follow instructions to remain in his seat, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, was repeatedly loud, vaped, bothered other passengers, locked himself in the lavatory, and attempted to open the aircraft exterior doors multiple times while the aircraft was in flight'.
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As a result, the passenger was 'restrained by flight crew members and other passengers' with 'flexible restraints' used on his feet and hands for the remainder of the flight.
When the plane landed at Salt Lake City International Airport, Gapco was arrested by law enforcement officials.
Prosecutors claim Gapco allegedly also tried to hand another passenger onboard the flight a bag of pills - the identity of which has not been stated, as reported by The Post.
Court documents also allege Gapco told his arresting officer he ate 'approximately 10 marijuana edibles'.
The investigation is being investigated by FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Salt Lake City Police Department.
Gapco has been 'charged with interference with a flight crew, and attempted damage to an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States'.
He is expected to appear in court at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City on 1 August.
A spokesperson for American Airlines told UNILAD: "On July 18, American Airlines flight 2101 with service from Seattle (SEA) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) diverted to Salt Lake City (SLC) due to a disruptive customer.
"The aircraft was met by law enforcement upon arrival at SLC. The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding."
It's not the first time an airplane passenger has had to be restrained after allegedly trying to open the door on an American Airlines flight either.
Earlier this year in February, a flight headed to Chicago was forced to turn around after a passenger allegedly tried to open one of the aircraft's doors mid-flight, prompting other passengers to have to 'wrestle' him to the ground and duct-tape him to his chair for the rest of the flight time.
Other passengers spoke out about the incident on social media, one calling it 'one of the scariest days' of their 'life'.