Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight recently restrained a man using duct tape after he attempted to open the aircraft door during a flight from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
The incident occurred on American flight 1915 on November 19.
According to the Dallas Fort Worth International airport public safety department, the man, a Canadian national, approached a flight attendant in the front galley and said he “wanted and needed to exit the aircraft now.” As his agitation escalated, the flight attendant called for backup from another crew member and signaled nearby passengers for assistance. The man then rushed toward the door, jumping on the flight attendant and injuring her wrist and neck, according to an NBC News report.
Fellow passenger Doug McCright, seated in the front row, intervened and physically restrained the man. “The only thing you could think about was, ‘I’ve got to stop this guy,’” McCright told NBC News.
Another passenger, Charlie Boris, also stepped in. “The fight-or-flight instinct kind of came over. And yeah, after processing and the situation was done, I’m very thankful to be here,” Boris said to NBC News.
A flight attendant reported that the disruptive passenger claimed to be the “captain” of the plane and insisted on exiting. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, he remained adamant about leaving the flight.
Boris, McCright, and other passengers managed to pin the man down while duct tape was used to secure his hands and ankles. Upon landing in Dallas, authorities boarded the plane and found the man restrained with the tape. He was subsequently transported for medical evaluation.
The incident is currently under investigation.
American Airlines confirmed that duct tape is part of onboard safety kits designed for such situations.
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we thank our team members and customers for managing a difficult situation,” the airline said in a statement, as quoted by NBC News.
