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‘He’s Trying to Fight Everybody’: American Airlines Pilot Said Passenger Bit Another Flyer
The FBI opened an investigation after the pilot reported the passenger was combative and asked for medical and law enforcement crews on arrival.
On Sunday, an unruly passenger allegedly bit a fellow flyer and fought others aboard American Airlines Flight 3046 from Charlotte to Philadelphia, prompting the pilot to request emergency assistance at Philadelphia International Airport.
American Airlines confirmed the passenger appeared to be experiencing a medical emergency during the flight; a medical professional on board "assisted" the passenger before the aircraft landed just before 10:00 local time.
Audio recordings reviewed by CBS News captured the pilot describing the passenger as "trying to fight everybody," after which the FBI subsequently opened an investigation into the conduct.
Another United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis-St Paul was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, after a 75-year-old man suffered a "mental health crisis" that prompted a separate FBI probe.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports unruly passenger incidents dropped more than 80 per cent from 2021 peaks, yet the industry maintains a "zero-tolerance approach" with violations carrying civil penalties of up to $43,658.