Unruly Passenger Duct-Taped Mid-Flight After Attempting to Open Plane Door

An American Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Dallas on November 19 became the scene of a chaotic incident when a passenger attempted to force open an aircraft door and injured a flight attendant in the process. Fellow passengers stepped in to restrain the man, using duct tape and flex cuffs to subdue him until the flight landed safely.

Passenger Faces Federal Charges

Abdul-al-Jabbar Oloruntoba Olaiya, 29, has been charged with interfering with a flight crew by assault or intimidation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.

“I Need to Exit the Aircraft Now”

The confrontation began when Olaiya demanded to exit the plane mid-flight, claiming he was the “captain of this flight,” according to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety. Witnesses reported that his agitation escalated, prompting the flight attendant to call for help from passengers as the situation grew increasingly tense.

Attempt to Open Door Ends in Injury

Olaiya allegedly charged toward a flight attendant and tried to access an aircraft door. The flight attendant blocked his attempt, injuring her neck and wrist in the process, prosecutors said.

“Able-bodied passengers rushed to assist her,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated. The passengers subdued Olaiya, restraining him with duct tape and flex cuffs to prevent further disruption.

Passengers Step In to Subdue the Threat

One passenger, Doug McCright, described how he intervened by bear-hugging Olaiya from behind and pinning him to the floor. McCright and other passengers held him down for the remaining 30 minutes of the flight.

“He was determined to get off that plane,” McCright told local news outlet WDJT. “I was determined he wasn’t going anywhere.”

Smooth Landing and Immediate Arrest

Despite the incident, the pilots decided to continue the flight to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, where FBI agents and airport security boarded the plane to arrest Olaiya. Authorities detained him and conducted a mental health evaluation following the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it would investigate the events aboard the Airbus A319.

Rising Incidents of Unruly Passenger Behavior

Unruly passenger behavior has been a growing problem for airlines, with incidents surging to record highs in recent years. While the FAA reported nearly 6,000 incidents in 2021, the number has since declined. However, 2023 still saw over 2,000 reported cases, with 400 enforcement actions and $7.5 million in fines issued.

The FAA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior, emphasizing the safety of passengers and crew.

Not an Isolated Incident

This latest case follows several high-profile incidents of in-flight aggression. Last month, a passenger on a United Airlines flight was charged with assault after repeatedly punching another traveler. In September, a Frontier Airlines passenger allegedly attempted to choke a flight attendant and threatened to kill everyone onboard.

Airlines Take a Stand

American Airlines commended its team members and passengers for handling the difficult situation. “The safety and security of our customers and crew is our top priority,” the airline said in a statement.

As incidents like this highlight the risks of air travel disruptions, airlines and regulators continue to enforce strict policies to ensure passenger safety remains uncompromised.