Mid-Flight Mayhem: US Man Asks Flight Attendant For Sex, Opens Plane Door

US: A man on a US airline flight was arrested for a violent and disruptive outburst that involved trying to open the plane’s doors while in mid-flight and attempting to engage in inappropriate behavior with a flight attendant, according to federal prosecutors.

According to officials, 26-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco from New Jersey was on American Airlines flight 2101 from Seattle to Dallas on July 18 when he began displaying erratic behavior,  according to a criminal complaint.

Gapco allegedly removed his shirt, vaped, and propositioned a flight attendant, asking her to have sex with him. Video footage obtained by KSLTV5 shows the man yelling and acting aggressively as flight crew members attempted to calm him.

"I am sane! I am sane!" Gapco is heard screaming in a video. He also yells, "He’s hurting me!" as a group huddles around the lavatory in which he had locked himself.

To subdue Gapco, the flight crew and passengers took matters into their own hands, restraining his hands and feet with “flexible restraints”. A video shows a shirtless Gapco being escorted down the aisle with his hands bound.

The plane was diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport, where Gapco was arrested upon landing. He allegedly continued his unruly behaviour at the airport, smashing the glass door of a holding cell.

In addition to the initial charges of interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft, he faces state charges of damaging a jail and assault on an officer.