Sky Harbor Airport Christmas shooting: Shelter-in-place lifted at Terminal 4; 2 people detained
The Brief
Three people were shot, and one was stabbed in Terminal 4.
A shelter-in-place order was lifted around 10:30 p.m. MST on Christmas.
No suspects are being sought after, and airport operations have returned to normal.
PHOENIX - Phoenix Police are investigating a shooting and stabbing that happened at Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 4.
It was a scary moment for travelers on their Christmas evening, but the good news is that airport operations have returned to normal.
If you're headed to Terminal 4 on December 26, you'll have to take a detour. The entrance to the B and C gates will remain blocked off during the investigation.
All of this stemmed from police responding to a report of gunshots around 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a group of people involved in a fight, which escalated to one person pulling out a hand gun.
Officers found three victims: one adult female and two adult males who suffered from gunshot wounds. All three were transported to local hospitals.
We're told the adult female's injuries are life-threatening, but the two men are listed in stable condition.
"All five involved in this incident are known to each other. No community members or visitors were hurt outside of this group of individuals. They did not go through TSA yet. I do not recommend bringing guns to an airport," said Sgt. Mayra Reeson. ""I do believe that this was a family dispute that escalated."
After the gunfire, a man and a juvenile girl were detained in an airport parking garage.
"The man was taken to a hospital with at least one cut/stab wound. He is listed in stable condition," said Reeson.
Reeson added, "During the incident four people were injured and two individuals were detained."
No arrests have been made. All the weapons were retrieved by the police. When this was all happening, airport operations at Terminal 4's security checkpoint were temporarily closed, along with the Phoenix Sky Train. It was paused as a precaution.
"No suspects are being sought after, airport operations have resumed to normal business," stated Phoenix Police on Twitter.
If you're heading to the airport, give yourself some extra time, especially if you need to use the B and C gates.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 10:30 p.m. MST and airport officials said operations had returned to normal.
Terminal 4 is the main hub of the airport for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.
No names have been released in this case.
Police did not immediately release information on possible charges. They were still investigating why the group was at the airport, and whether they were traveling or were there for some other reason.
"Of course this was scary, this was Christmas evening, everybody's trying to get home," Reeson said.
Related
Man arrives at airport after hearing about an active shooter, gets into altercation with Phoenix PD
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/man-a ... phoenix-pd
The Brief
A man went to Sky Harbor Airport with a gun on Christmas night.
Police describe the incident as unrelated to the shooting that happened earlier in the day.
The suspect got into an altercation with officers and was arrested.
PHOENIX - Not long after operations resumed at Sky Harbor Airport following a shooting and stabbing investigation, an arrest was made in Terminal 4 – but police say this is unrelated to the earlier incident.
Police say a man received a text message about an active shooter at the airport. He later arrived at the scene with a gun and got into an altercation with an officer, who was not hurt.
Investigators say the man was detained and will be booked into jail on several charges. His name has not been released.
Sky Harbor is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States, and is a hub for American Airlines. It's also a main connecting point for passengers on Southwest and Frontier airlines.
PP
Passengers Behaving Badly
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Person without ticket sneaks onto Delta flight from Seattle to Hawaii, is kicked off plane; unfortunately while the plane was still on the ground.
The unidentified, unticketed passenger was apprehended after being removed from the flight Tuesday, Delta said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pe ... rcna185493
A passenger without a ticket was kicked off a Delta flight this week after having sneaked onto a flight from Seattle to Hawaii, the airline said.
The unidentified person was apprehended after having been booted from the flight before takeoff, Delta said in a statement Thursday.
The incident occurred Tuesday on Flight 487, an Airbus A321neo headed to Honolulu from Seattle.
“As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed procedures to have an unticketed passenger removed from the flight and then apprehended," Delta said. "We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels and thank them for their patience and cooperation.”
The unticketed passenger was discovered as the plane taxied out, and the flight returned to the gate. It was delayed more than two hours.
The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement Thursday that the passenger made it through the standard screening and did not possess any prohibited items.
"The individual bypassed the identity verification and boarding status stations and boarded an aircraft at Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA) without a boarding pass," the TSA statement said. "TSA takes any incidents that occur at any of our checkpoints nationwide seriously. TSA will independently review the circumstances of this incident at our travel document checker station at Seattle/Tacoma International."
In a similar incident last month, a woman managed to board a flight without a ticket from New York to Paris during the Thanksgiving holiday rush.
The woman, Svetlana Dali, who was charged as a stowaway linked to alleged ticketless international flight, was also arrested this month in New York and accused of cutting off her ankle bracelet and trying to sneak into Canada.
PP
The unidentified, unticketed passenger was apprehended after being removed from the flight Tuesday, Delta said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pe ... rcna185493
A passenger without a ticket was kicked off a Delta flight this week after having sneaked onto a flight from Seattle to Hawaii, the airline said.
The unidentified person was apprehended after having been booted from the flight before takeoff, Delta said in a statement Thursday.
The incident occurred Tuesday on Flight 487, an Airbus A321neo headed to Honolulu from Seattle.
“As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed procedures to have an unticketed passenger removed from the flight and then apprehended," Delta said. "We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels and thank them for their patience and cooperation.”
The unticketed passenger was discovered as the plane taxied out, and the flight returned to the gate. It was delayed more than two hours.
The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement Thursday that the passenger made it through the standard screening and did not possess any prohibited items.
"The individual bypassed the identity verification and boarding status stations and boarded an aircraft at Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA) without a boarding pass," the TSA statement said. "TSA takes any incidents that occur at any of our checkpoints nationwide seriously. TSA will independently review the circumstances of this incident at our travel document checker station at Seattle/Tacoma International."
In a similar incident last month, a woman managed to board a flight without a ticket from New York to Paris during the Thanksgiving holiday rush.
The woman, Svetlana Dali, who was charged as a stowaway linked to alleged ticketless international flight, was also arrested this month in New York and accused of cutting off her ankle bracelet and trying to sneak into Canada.
PP
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Woman climbs onto wing of Alaska Airlines plane at Seattle airport due to 'anxiety'
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/woman ... le-airport
A female passenger took an alternative route off an Alaska Airlines plane after landing in Seattle on Sunday evening.
Just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, Port of Seattle emergency dispatch was alerted to an incident at gate N9 related to arriving Alaska Airlines flight 323, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Media Relations Manager Perry Cooper told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Cooper said that during the deplaning of the aircraft, a female passenger on board became "anxious" and opened the emergency exit over the wing.
Due to her anxiety, Cooper said the woman then climbed out onto the wing of the plane.
Cooper added that the Port of Seattle Fire responded and helped the passenger off the aircraft wing to the ramp.
The Port Police crisis team responded, Cooper said, and eventually decided to send the passenger to the hospital for evaluation.
Cooper said that there were no injuries and that no other operations were impacted by the incident.
A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines also confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital and said "the matter was safely resolved."
"We are working with our crew and airport officials to gather more details about what may have transpired. We thank our employees for their swift response and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guests," the airline spokesperson said.
PP
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/woman ... le-airport
A female passenger took an alternative route off an Alaska Airlines plane after landing in Seattle on Sunday evening.
Just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, Port of Seattle emergency dispatch was alerted to an incident at gate N9 related to arriving Alaska Airlines flight 323, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Media Relations Manager Perry Cooper told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Cooper said that during the deplaning of the aircraft, a female passenger on board became "anxious" and opened the emergency exit over the wing.
Due to her anxiety, Cooper said the woman then climbed out onto the wing of the plane.
Cooper added that the Port of Seattle Fire responded and helped the passenger off the aircraft wing to the ramp.
The Port Police crisis team responded, Cooper said, and eventually decided to send the passenger to the hospital for evaluation.
Cooper said that there were no injuries and that no other operations were impacted by the incident.
A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines also confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital and said "the matter was safely resolved."
"We are working with our crew and airport officials to gather more details about what may have transpired. We thank our employees for their swift response and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guests," the airline spokesperson said.
PP
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
‘This Is A Race Thing’: Black Woman Forced Off American Airlines After White Man Claimed He Felt Threatened By Her In First Class
https://viewfromthewing.com/this-is-a-r ... rst-class/
A black woman says she was kicked off of a Chicago – Austin flight on American Airlines because a white man felt threatened with her traveling in first class.
She says she was physically pushed off her flight and that a flight attendant declares “this is a race thing.” Her partner was removed from the flight as well.
Here you can see her being removed from the aircraft. She asks for police, because she doesn’t understand what she’s done to get kicked off. You can see a flight attendant waving ‘bye bye’ at her as she leaves the plane and is walked up the jet bridge.
https://v45.tiktokcdn-us.com/51fa8345bb ... =e0009d000
She filmed some of the interaction onboard as she’s being taken off. She films the man she says complained about her being the only black passenger in first class. The airline agent removing her tells her that it’s the decision of the crew, and not something they can discuss with her.
When she boarded the flight, she says, there wasn’t any overhead bin space above her first class seat. She apparently went to shift bags around in the bin above her seat to fit her carry-on, and the passenger in front of her ‘got up and yelled’ at her not to touch his bag.
She says she apologized, and talked with the flight attendant about where her bag might go – she didn’t want her MacBook and iPad too far from her. That’s when the man in front of her declares he felt threatened and uncomfortable with her, that “it was a race thing” and that she “mentioned something racist towards him” which she denies.
An American Airlines spokesperson offers,
We take all allegations of discrimination seriously and our team is working to get in touch with this customer to learn more about her experience.
After eight black men – traveling separately, and who did not know each other – were kicked off an American Airlines flight after a body odor complaint, the airline imposed new rules for crew removing passengers for things like odor, attire, and attitude. The flight attendants involved in the incident were fired. This held off the reinstatement of a travel warning against American by the NAACP.
There are over 130,000 employees of American Airlines. With any company that size there will be a few who create bad experiences, and there will be misunderstandings, as well. That’s true of other airlines and in other industries, too. There isn’t always consistency across behavior and service standards at the airline. In that context, some prejudices and miscommunications may come out more.
American Airlines leadership certainly doesn’t do anything I can see to encourage racism amongst its employees, or even to tolerate it, though airline leadership is hardly diverse at the Texas-based carrier. There were several incidents in the past where American was unfairly criticized (including ones which formed the basis for the NAACP’s previous travel warning).
And yet these incidents do come up, which makes me wonder whether they say more about continuing issues of race in society than about the airline itself. At the same time, these issues seem to come up more frequently with American – but American operates more flights and carriers more passengers than other airlines, too.
Here it seems like an issue that combines other passengers who instigated a problem, along with crew who sided with those passengers. We have only one side of the story. The flight attendant who can be seen waving ‘bye bye’ to the woman as she’s removed from the aircraft suggests something happened to really get under that crewmember’s skin, and we do not know what it was (though the bye bye wave also seemed not appropriate, no matter what it was).
PP
https://viewfromthewing.com/this-is-a-r ... rst-class/
A black woman says she was kicked off of a Chicago – Austin flight on American Airlines because a white man felt threatened with her traveling in first class.
She says she was physically pushed off her flight and that a flight attendant declares “this is a race thing.” Her partner was removed from the flight as well.
Here you can see her being removed from the aircraft. She asks for police, because she doesn’t understand what she’s done to get kicked off. You can see a flight attendant waving ‘bye bye’ at her as she leaves the plane and is walked up the jet bridge.
https://v45.tiktokcdn-us.com/51fa8345bb ... =e0009d000
She filmed some of the interaction onboard as she’s being taken off. She films the man she says complained about her being the only black passenger in first class. The airline agent removing her tells her that it’s the decision of the crew, and not something they can discuss with her.
When she boarded the flight, she says, there wasn’t any overhead bin space above her first class seat. She apparently went to shift bags around in the bin above her seat to fit her carry-on, and the passenger in front of her ‘got up and yelled’ at her not to touch his bag.
She says she apologized, and talked with the flight attendant about where her bag might go – she didn’t want her MacBook and iPad too far from her. That’s when the man in front of her declares he felt threatened and uncomfortable with her, that “it was a race thing” and that she “mentioned something racist towards him” which she denies.
An American Airlines spokesperson offers,
We take all allegations of discrimination seriously and our team is working to get in touch with this customer to learn more about her experience.
After eight black men – traveling separately, and who did not know each other – were kicked off an American Airlines flight after a body odor complaint, the airline imposed new rules for crew removing passengers for things like odor, attire, and attitude. The flight attendants involved in the incident were fired. This held off the reinstatement of a travel warning against American by the NAACP.
There are over 130,000 employees of American Airlines. With any company that size there will be a few who create bad experiences, and there will be misunderstandings, as well. That’s true of other airlines and in other industries, too. There isn’t always consistency across behavior and service standards at the airline. In that context, some prejudices and miscommunications may come out more.
American Airlines leadership certainly doesn’t do anything I can see to encourage racism amongst its employees, or even to tolerate it, though airline leadership is hardly diverse at the Texas-based carrier. There were several incidents in the past where American was unfairly criticized (including ones which formed the basis for the NAACP’s previous travel warning).
And yet these incidents do come up, which makes me wonder whether they say more about continuing issues of race in society than about the airline itself. At the same time, these issues seem to come up more frequently with American – but American operates more flights and carriers more passengers than other airlines, too.
Here it seems like an issue that combines other passengers who instigated a problem, along with crew who sided with those passengers. We have only one side of the story. The flight attendant who can be seen waving ‘bye bye’ to the woman as she’s removed from the aircraft suggests something happened to really get under that crewmember’s skin, and we do not know what it was (though the bye bye wave also seemed not appropriate, no matter what it was).
PP
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
United bans man from flight after he allegedly urinates on passenger: ‘Soaked from his stomach down’
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/unite ... -passenger
The Brief
A passenger, Jerome Gutierrez, was allegedly urinated on by a man during a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to the Philippines on Dec. 27.
Gutierrez's stepdaughter claims flight attendants advised him not to confront the man.
United Airlines confirmed police were waiting for the flight upon arrival in Manila to address "a passenger disturbance" and banned a man from future flights.
SAN FRANCISCO - United Airlines recently banned a man from flying on their aircraft after he allegedly urinated on another passenger.
According to SFGATE, Jerome Gutierrez was traveling in business class on UA Flight 189 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 27 when a man got up from his seat about four hours into the flight and began peeing on him, his stepdaughter said.
"He was asleep and buckled in and was surprised when he looked at the man and thought he was dreaming," Nicole Cornell, Gutierrez’s stepdaughter, told SFGATE in an email.
After the man had finished, "Jerome realized he was soaked from his stomach down in that man’s urine," she claimed.
Cornell wrote that United flight attendants asked Gutierrez "not to approach the man in fear that there would be a confrontation, and he would become violent." Cornell said that United provided Gutierrez with pajamas to wear after he was urinated on.
United Airlines responded to FOX Television Stations’ request for comment, confirming that the airline asked police to meet the flight when it arrived in Manila to address "a passenger disturbance."
"We have banned this passenger," United Airlines continued. They did not comment on the subject of the incident.
PP
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/unite ... -passenger
The Brief
A passenger, Jerome Gutierrez, was allegedly urinated on by a man during a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to the Philippines on Dec. 27.
Gutierrez's stepdaughter claims flight attendants advised him not to confront the man.
United Airlines confirmed police were waiting for the flight upon arrival in Manila to address "a passenger disturbance" and banned a man from future flights.
SAN FRANCISCO - United Airlines recently banned a man from flying on their aircraft after he allegedly urinated on another passenger.
According to SFGATE, Jerome Gutierrez was traveling in business class on UA Flight 189 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 27 when a man got up from his seat about four hours into the flight and began peeing on him, his stepdaughter said.
"He was asleep and buckled in and was surprised when he looked at the man and thought he was dreaming," Nicole Cornell, Gutierrez’s stepdaughter, told SFGATE in an email.
After the man had finished, "Jerome realized he was soaked from his stomach down in that man’s urine," she claimed.
Cornell wrote that United flight attendants asked Gutierrez "not to approach the man in fear that there would be a confrontation, and he would become violent." Cornell said that United provided Gutierrez with pajamas to wear after he was urinated on.
United Airlines responded to FOX Television Stations’ request for comment, confirming that the airline asked police to meet the flight when it arrived in Manila to address "a passenger disturbance."
"We have banned this passenger," United Airlines continued. They did not comment on the subject of the incident.
PP
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tango15
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 2991
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:43 pm
- Location: East Midlands
- Gender:
- Age: 79
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
I see that Ryanair has engaged the help of m'learned friends, following disruption to a flight between Dublin and Lanzarote. It's not often I agree with the multi-millionaire racehorse owner, but this one gets the thumbs up from me. I shall follow this with interest.
https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryan ... n-damages/
easyJet please copy!
https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryan ... n-damages/
easyJet please copy!
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Linky no worky!
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Rwy in Sight
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 7035
- Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:04 pm
- Location: Lost in an FIR somewhere
- Gender:
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tango15
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 2991
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:43 pm
- Location: East Midlands
- Gender:
- Age: 79
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Auntie's link might work better:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kekvzdvw9o
No specific details on the cause of the disruption, maybe because it's sub judice
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
No chance - they're an airline, so bound to lose the case.
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Pinky the pilot
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 2650
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:20 am
- Location: Back home, still looking for the bad Red!
- Gender:
- Age: 70
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Just an observation from someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Airline concerned, but over time I have gradually formed an opinion that it often seems to be Passengers on that particular Carrier who misbehave. 
Am I mistaken?
Am I mistaken?
You only live twice. Once when you're born. Once when you've looked death in the face.
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tango15
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 2991
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:43 pm
- Location: East Midlands
- Gender:
- Age: 79
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
Not mistaken, PtP, but in the interests of balance, it should be said that easyJet and Jet2 have also had numerous disruptions on their flights. The media in the UK have a bit of a 'thing' about Ryanair, so anything unfortunate that happens to them is immediately jumped on. Interestingly, Wizzair, who also operate an extensive network from the UK, don't seem to have such problems, despite the fact that a lot of their flights are to Eastern Europe, where the drinking culture (I use the word loosely), is at least as strong as it is in the UK.Pinky the pilot wrote: ↑Sat Jan 11, 2025 3:23 amJust an observation from someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Airline concerned, but over time I have gradually formed an opinion that it often seems to be Passengers on that particular Carrier who misbehave.
Am I mistaken?
Re: Passengers Behaving Badly
American Airlines New York to Tokyo Flight Diverted, Passenger Faces Criminal Charges
The FBI's affidavit details the severity of the incident, emphasizing how Solesky's actions compromised cabin safety and necessitated the costly and time-consuming diversion.
https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/ ... passenger/
NEW YORK- Federal investigators, FBI have filed criminal charges against a Business Class passenger whose disruptive behavior forced an American Airlines (AA) flight from New York (JFK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) to make an emergency landing in Anchorage (ANC), Alaska on January 5, 2025.
Robert Solesky faces federal charges of interfering with flight crew members aboard American Airlines flight AA167, an offense carrying potential penalties of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
American Airlines Unruly Passenger
FBI documentation reveals that flight attendants reported escalating concerns about Solesky’s intoxicated state during the planned 14-hour transpacific journey, PYOK flagged.
Crew members observed Solesky struggling to access the Business Class lavatory approximately eight hours into the flight. The situation intensified when Solesky began creating loud disturbances inside the restroom, with the noise penetrating the cockpit.
When a flight attendant attempted to assist him, Solesky allegedly responded with physical aggression, grabbing the crew member’s uniform lapels.
The flight crew implemented immediate safety protocols, instructing Solesky to remain seated and restricting his access to the forward lavatory. Court documents state that Solesky defied these directives, making multiple unauthorized attempts to reach the aircraft’s front section.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft, registered as N840AN operating on the 6750-mile route between New York’s JFK Airport and Tokyo Haneda, diverted to Anchorage following Solesky’s continued non-compliance with crew instructions. Law enforcement personnel in Anchorage took Solesky into custody upon landing.
The FBI’s affidavit details the severity of the incident, emphasizing how Solesky’s actions compromised cabin safety and necessitated the costly and time-consuming diversion.
This case joins a growing number of incidents involving disruptive passenger behavior on international flights, prompting increased scrutiny from aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Captain’s Intervention
The severity of Robert Solesky’s disruptive behavior prompted the aircraft’s Captain to personally intervene, leaving the cockpit to discuss the situation with Solesky’s wife. In an unusual development, Solesky’s wife supported the Captain’s suggestion of diverting the flight to remove her husband.
Flight documentation reveals a pattern of persistent non-compliance, with Solesky repeatedly attempting to access the aircraft’s forward section despite explicit instructions to remain seated and use rear lavatories. Family members aboard the flight attempted to physically restrain Solesky and guide him back to his seat multiple times.
The Captain executed the diversion decision as the aircraft approached the Bering Sea, altering course toward Anchorage. Law enforcement officials expedited Solesky’s removal from the aircraft upon landing, while investigators collected statements from crew members and witnesses before clearing the flight to resume its journey to Tokyo.
The incident resulted in a three-hour delay for the remaining passengers. Solesky’s wife informed investigators about traveling with his cousins, acknowledging their collective inability to manage his behavior for the flight’s duration.
Beyond the criminal charges, Solesky faces potential civil litigation from American Airlines seeking compensation for diversion-related costs. These expenses typically include additional fuel consumption, crew overtime, airport fees, and passenger accommodation arrangements.
Similar Incidents
Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in disruptive passenger incidents across multiple airlines, causing significant operational disruptions and passenger inconvenience.
JetBlue Airways flight B6209 encountered disruption on December 11, 2024, shortly after departing New York JFK for Santo Domingo.
The second incident unfolded the following day when an unruly passenger disrupted Spirit Airlines flight NK1317 during its taxi phase at Pittsburgh International Airport, delaying its departure to Tampa.
A more severe incident occurred aboard an Aeroflot flight between Dubai and Moscow in December 2024, where an intoxicated passenger attempted to breach an aircraft window during the flight, necessitating an emergency landing.
The pattern continued into 2025 when an EasyJet service from Antalya to London Gatwick diverted to Bari, Italy, on January 1 due to disruptive behavior from a teenage passenger. The situation required immediate intervention and resulted in schedule disruptions for the remaining passengers.
Most recently, Hong Kong International Airport authorities arrested two women following a disturbance aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX581 arriving from Sapporo. The incident, occurring on a Monday (Jan 6, 2025) night flight, represents the latest in this concerning trend of passenger misconduct.
PP
The FBI's affidavit details the severity of the incident, emphasizing how Solesky's actions compromised cabin safety and necessitated the costly and time-consuming diversion.
https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/ ... passenger/
NEW YORK- Federal investigators, FBI have filed criminal charges against a Business Class passenger whose disruptive behavior forced an American Airlines (AA) flight from New York (JFK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) to make an emergency landing in Anchorage (ANC), Alaska on January 5, 2025.
Robert Solesky faces federal charges of interfering with flight crew members aboard American Airlines flight AA167, an offense carrying potential penalties of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
American Airlines Unruly Passenger
FBI documentation reveals that flight attendants reported escalating concerns about Solesky’s intoxicated state during the planned 14-hour transpacific journey, PYOK flagged.
Crew members observed Solesky struggling to access the Business Class lavatory approximately eight hours into the flight. The situation intensified when Solesky began creating loud disturbances inside the restroom, with the noise penetrating the cockpit.
When a flight attendant attempted to assist him, Solesky allegedly responded with physical aggression, grabbing the crew member’s uniform lapels.
The flight crew implemented immediate safety protocols, instructing Solesky to remain seated and restricting his access to the forward lavatory. Court documents state that Solesky defied these directives, making multiple unauthorized attempts to reach the aircraft’s front section.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft, registered as N840AN operating on the 6750-mile route between New York’s JFK Airport and Tokyo Haneda, diverted to Anchorage following Solesky’s continued non-compliance with crew instructions. Law enforcement personnel in Anchorage took Solesky into custody upon landing.
The FBI’s affidavit details the severity of the incident, emphasizing how Solesky’s actions compromised cabin safety and necessitated the costly and time-consuming diversion.
This case joins a growing number of incidents involving disruptive passenger behavior on international flights, prompting increased scrutiny from aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Captain’s Intervention
The severity of Robert Solesky’s disruptive behavior prompted the aircraft’s Captain to personally intervene, leaving the cockpit to discuss the situation with Solesky’s wife. In an unusual development, Solesky’s wife supported the Captain’s suggestion of diverting the flight to remove her husband.
Flight documentation reveals a pattern of persistent non-compliance, with Solesky repeatedly attempting to access the aircraft’s forward section despite explicit instructions to remain seated and use rear lavatories. Family members aboard the flight attempted to physically restrain Solesky and guide him back to his seat multiple times.
The Captain executed the diversion decision as the aircraft approached the Bering Sea, altering course toward Anchorage. Law enforcement officials expedited Solesky’s removal from the aircraft upon landing, while investigators collected statements from crew members and witnesses before clearing the flight to resume its journey to Tokyo.
The incident resulted in a three-hour delay for the remaining passengers. Solesky’s wife informed investigators about traveling with his cousins, acknowledging their collective inability to manage his behavior for the flight’s duration.
Beyond the criminal charges, Solesky faces potential civil litigation from American Airlines seeking compensation for diversion-related costs. These expenses typically include additional fuel consumption, crew overtime, airport fees, and passenger accommodation arrangements.
Similar Incidents
Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in disruptive passenger incidents across multiple airlines, causing significant operational disruptions and passenger inconvenience.
JetBlue Airways flight B6209 encountered disruption on December 11, 2024, shortly after departing New York JFK for Santo Domingo.
The second incident unfolded the following day when an unruly passenger disrupted Spirit Airlines flight NK1317 during its taxi phase at Pittsburgh International Airport, delaying its departure to Tampa.
A more severe incident occurred aboard an Aeroflot flight between Dubai and Moscow in December 2024, where an intoxicated passenger attempted to breach an aircraft window during the flight, necessitating an emergency landing.
The pattern continued into 2025 when an EasyJet service from Antalya to London Gatwick diverted to Bari, Italy, on January 1 due to disruptive behavior from a teenage passenger. The situation required immediate intervention and resulted in schedule disruptions for the remaining passengers.
Most recently, Hong Kong International Airport authorities arrested two women following a disturbance aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX581 arriving from Sapporo. The incident, occurring on a Monday (Jan 6, 2025) night flight, represents the latest in this concerning trend of passenger misconduct.
PP