A routine flight quickly spiraled into chaos when a passenger’s alarming behavior forced an emergency diversion.
According to the New York Post, the incident unfolded aboard an American Airlines flight traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport to O’Hare International Airport on Sunday.
Passengers said the situation escalated rapidly as the plane neared its destination.
“It was an awfully, awfully long day for all of us,” passenger Sona Jones told CBS News of the “spooky” situation.
Flight 2819 had been in the air for some time and was about an hour from landing when flight attendants made an unexpected announcement asking if any medical professionals were onboard, according to Chicago’s WMAQ.
Moments later, the atmosphere inside the cabin changed dramatically.
“We hear this person in the back screaming, yelling, ‘No, no, no,’ and he can’t get off the plane, and he didn’t take his meds,” recalled passenger Gerry Sutofsky.
The disruption intensified as the individual allegedly became aggressive.
“I’m going to blow up the plane” and “kill you all,” the passenger reportedly shouted, according to Margaret Weinstock.
“He was ready to attack the flight attendants,” she said.
Faced with the escalating situation, the flight crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The plane landed there at approximately 11:08 a.m.
Authorities quickly surrounded the aircraft upon arrival.
Law enforcement officers and medical personnel boarded the plane and removed the disruptive passenger, while officials conducted a thorough search.
“There was a guy who came on the plane with a machine gun, and we’re being told, ‘Put your head down and hands up,’” said passenger Esther Sutofsky.
Passengers were seen following instructions as officers secured the situation, and footage later showed the individual’s belongings on the runway.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and carried out an investigation. Officials ultimately determined there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Travelers were escorted off the plane and brought into the terminal, where they waited for a replacement flight.
“I’m exhausted, and I’m upset,” Esther Sutofsky said. “We were just sitting there not knowing anything, hour after hour.”
The journey finally resumed, with the flight arriving in Chicago around 7 p.m. — roughly eight hours behind schedule.
