An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Bozeman, Montana, took a dramatic turn when it was diverted to Amarillo, Texas, following an altercation involving a disruptive passenger. The incident, which occurred mid-flight, led to the arrest of Keith Edward Fagiana, 61, who now faces charges of interference with a flight crew.
According to court documents and an affidavit from an FBI agent involved in the arrest, the flight, American Airlines 1497, landed in Amarillo after the flight crew declared a Level 2 threat due to a physical assault. The complaint filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas outlines the disturbing events that transpired during the flight.
The trouble began when a passenger reported that Fagiana was violently kicking their chair. A flight attendant approached Fagiana, asking him to cease the disruptive behavior. In response, Fagiana reportedly unleashed a barrage of expletives and proceeded to punch the flight attendant in the stomach. The violent encounter continued as Fagiana delivered three more punches to the flight attendant, prompting fellow passengers to intervene and physically restrain him.
Using flex cuffs, the flight attendant secured Fagiana and placed him in a seat, awaiting police intervention upon landing. The plane touched down at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, where police entered the aircraft and escorted Fagiana off. The court documents detail that Fagiana complained about the flex cuffs causing discomfort, leading officers to replace them with steel handcuffs.
During this process, Fagiana reportedly kicked one of the Amarillo Airport Police Officers in the groin and spat on the officers escorting him. The disruptive passenger continued his belligerence even after being removed from the plane. In a subsequent police interview, Fagiana admitted to resisting arrest, stating he didn’t want to be apprehended. He claimed to have no recollection of the events on the flight, attributing it to consuming “Captain Morgans” at various bars before boarding.
The flight eventually resumed its journey, departing from Amarillo shortly after the incident. In a statement, American Airlines expressed its intolerance for acts of violence and pledged cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
As of the latest information, it remains unclear whether Fagiana has secured legal representation. The disruptive episode serves as a stark reminder of the challenges airlines face in maintaining the safety and security of passengers and crew amid incidents of unruly behavior.
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