CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A passenger on US Airways flight 1697 from Charlotte to Fort Myers had to be restrained and put in hand ties after attacking the flight crew, according to an airline employee. The news was first reported on NBC17.
Read the original report on NBC17.com.
NBC-17 reporter Jonathan Carlson, who witnessed the aftermath in the terminal, spoke exclusively with members of the flight crew onboard US Airways flight 1697.
They say the woman got out of her seat and attacked the flight crew, spitting in their faces, knocking one flight attendant to the ground and kicking the crew. One female flight attendant had bruises and bandages up her arms in addition to scratch marks.
The flight arrived in Fort Myers shortly after 6 p.m. and was greeted by police and paramedics. The woman was taken out of the airport by police once the plane arrived. She was observed by medics in the terminal before being taken away. During that time she was screaming and crying.
The flight crew said a Lee County Florida sheriff’s deputy happened to be on board and helped tackle the woman. Flight attendants say the woman complained of being scared of flying shortly before she became violent.
The same flight crew on Flight 1697 flew the return trip to Charlotte later Tuesday night. They were shaken and looking forward to returning to North Carolina. That flight arrived safely around 9:30 Tuesday night.
Passengers on board were shaken; one saying the woman was restrained against a wall before being tied. Others praised the flight crew on how they handled the situation.
More on Overhead Bin
