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The woman not only misbehaved with flight attendants but also attempted to open the aircraft’s main door and physically attacked crew members
In response to the rising number of such incidents, the FAA introduced a zero-tolerance policy in 2021. (News18 Hindi)
We all know how people behave after having one too many drinks, and something similar happened on American Airlines Flight AA-1774. A drunk female passenger caused such chaos mid-air that the entire crew was shaken. The flight was on its way from Dallas-Fort Worth to Charlotte in the United States when the incident took place.
The woman not only misbehaved with flight attendants but also attempted to open the aircraft’s main door and physically attacked crew members. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a record fine of $81,950 (around Rs 70 lakh) on her, the highest fine ever levied by the agency on a single passenger.
What Happened On Flight AA-1774?
This incident occurred on the night of July 6, 2021. During the flight, a woman seated in first class suddenly fell into the aisle. When a flight attendant offered help, the woman refused, threatened her, and began shouting abuse. She then pushed the crew and attempted to open the plane’s door, an extremely dangerous move at 35,000 feet.
When the crew tried to restrain her, she hit a flight attendant on the head, then went on to spit, bite, and kick. The situation became so serious that the crew had to tie her to the seat using flexi-cuffs (plastic handcuffs) and duct tape. Once the plane landed in Charlotte, the woman was taken into police custody.
FAA’s Strict Action
In response to the rising number of such incidents, the FAA introduced a zero-tolerance policy in 2021. Under this policy, passengers who endanger the safety of crew members or fellow travellers face severe penalties.
In this case, the FAA did not hold back.
The $81,950 fine set a new record for misconduct by a passenger. US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the fine during a television interview, stressing that disruptive passengers will face strict consequences.
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