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Passenger Tries to Open Plane Door Mid-Flight
4 Jun
Summary
- Man attempted to open aircraft doors mid-flight.
- Off-duty flight attendant was assaulted and choked.
- Passenger subdued unruly man with martial arts.
A passenger, Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, faces federal charges after allegedly attempting to open the doors of a Frontier Airlines plane mid-flight. The flight, en route from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago, Illinois, was diverted to Miami, Florida, on Sunday, May 31, due to Reyes' disruptive behavior.
Authorities report that Reyes, who is from Chicago, also assaulted an off-duty flight attendant. Witnesses stated he lunged at the flight attendant, grabbed his head, and choked him. Multiple passengers, including a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter, intervened to restrain Reyes, using flex cuffs and seatbelt extenders.
The flight landed safely in Miami around 11:55 p.m. local time. Reyes now faces charges of interference with flight crew members and attendants, and assault. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
