There has been yet another in-flight incident on an American Airlines flight, where passengers stopped a potentially dangerous situation. A man was causing a disturbance on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu in Hawaii while trying to breach the cockpit of the plane when he was stopped by Fellow Passengers and detained in his seat with the use of duct-tape, blankets, and pillows.
Turkish national causes disturbance on American Airlines flight
It was Anil Uskanil, 25, a Turkish national, who caused what American Airlines initially dubbed a “disturbance during the flight.” NBC News reports that Uskanil was “loitering” close to the plane’s restroom while carrying a laptop computer.
When flight crew requested he return to his seat he refused. He then reportedly lunged forward in an attempt to breach the plane’s cockpit.
According to two witnesses on the American Airlines flight, the man – who was traveling in coach – was blocked by a flight attendant with a cart before he made it into the first-class section of the plane. Hawaii News Now reports that Uskanil was then detained and duct-taped to his seat by other passengers.
Penny Lorenzen of Orange County, California said it was “kind of surreal,” adding that her husband, Lee, helped to foil the man’s attempt to access the cockpit. Her husband said the man was pushing the flight attendant’s cart and was grabbed by several passengers before being secured to his seat.
First look of suspect, 25-year-old Anil Uskanil being escorted off American Airlines flight #31 by the FBI. #honolulu pic.twitter.com/QqGbd2IwAY
— Shanell Wolslagel (@SJWolslagel) May 20, 2017
Another incident involving the suspect at LAX
It turns out the suspect had been involved in a previous incident earlier that same day. Police at LAX had responded to a call at around 2:45 a.m.
about a passenger accessing a door from the airport’s concourse to an airfield ramp. A contractor spotted Uskanil and detained him. According to reports, Uskanil had gone through TSA screening and was a ticketed passenger. Officials believe the
According to reports, Uskanil had gone through TSA screening and was a ticketed passenger.
Officials believe the Turkish national had been drinking, but not enough to be considered drunk in public. Uskanil was cited for misdemeanor trespassing and was released, allowing him to board the American Airlines flight.
Suspect was taken into federal custody at Honolulu airport
On arrival at the Honolulu, Hawaii National Guard F-22 Raptors escorted the plane during its descent into the airport. The plane landed safely at 11:35 a.m. and was met by local law enforcement following which the suspect was then taken into custody by federal agents. Uskanil is being detained at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. Hawaii News Now reports that his visa has now been canceled.
A video was posted on Instagram by one of the passengers, who said they were taken off the plane a few rows at a time, after which they experienced “dog sniffing” and were interviewed. The Instagram user bplus.noisefloor.dnb said they had never seen anything like it before.
