“I want to get off the plane.”
“He grabbed the victim by the head and choked him.”
What began as a routine flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago turned into a frightening midair ordeal after a passenger allegedly tried to open an emergency exit door, attempted to force his way into the cockpit, and later attacked an off duty flight attendant, authorities said.
The incident happened aboard Frontier Airlines Flight 3345, which departed from San Juan and was headed to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Sunday night.
According to an arrest affidavit and federal criminal complaint, 51year old Juan Gabriel Reyes became disruptive about 45 minutes into the flight. Witnesses told investigators that Reyes repeatedly said he wanted to get off the aircraft and attempted to open an emergency exit door while the plane was in the air.
Flight attendants intervened before he could open the door.
But the situation did not end there.
Authorities say Reyes then moved toward the front of the aircraft and began aggressively pushing against the cockpit door with his shoulder in an apparent attempt to gain entry. Crew members managed to pull him away and escort him back toward his seat.
According to investigators, Reyes was allowed to use the restroom during the confrontation but allegedly attempted to urinate on the bathroom floor before being relocated to another seat.
An off duty flight attendant who was traveling as a passenger volunteered to sit near Reyes in an effort to help monitor the situation.
Moments later, the confrontation escalated.
Court documents say the off-duty attendant briefly left his seat and Reyes allegedly tried to take his bag. When the attendant told him to stop, Reyes reportedly lunged at him.
Federal investigators say Reyes then climbed on top of the man and grabbed him by the head and neck.
“Grabbed the victim by the head and choked him,” the criminal complaint states.
Several passengers immediately rushed to help.
Among them was a former professional MMA fighter from Chicago, who joined crew members and other travelers in restraining Reyes as the struggle continued. Witnesses said the passenger repeatedly broke free from restraints, forcing those holding him down to secure him multiple times using flex cuffs and seatbelt extenders.
Video recorded aboard the aircraft showed several passengers surrounding Reyes as crew members worked to keep him under control.
With the situation deteriorating, the pilots declared an emergency and diverted the aircraft to Miami International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane landed safely at approximately 11:55 p.m. local time. Law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft shortly after arrival and removed Reyes from the flight.
The FBI later took custody of him for questioning.
Federal court records show Reyes has been charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, as well as assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
Frontier Airlines praised the actions of its crew and passengers after the incident.
The airline said the flight continued to Chicago a few hours later after authorities removed the disruptive passenger.
The incident adds to a growing list of serious disturbances aboard commercial flights.
According to the FAA, hundreds of reports involving unruly passengers have already been recorded this year, with several recent cases involving attempts to breach cockpit areas or interfere with flight operations.
For passengers aboard Flight 3345, however, the statistics became a reality.
What started as a late night journey to Chicago ended with passengers helping restrain a man accused of attacking a flight attendant, attempting to access the cockpit, and forcing an emergency diversion before the aircraft could safely reach its destination.
