Photo: James Rojas / WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio)— A man on a Jet Blue flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Puerto Rico is facing federal charges for allegedly attacking the crew.
Flight 261 almost made it to its destination without a problem Wednesday night. According to an FBI affidavit a man became agitated about an hour before landing because a phone call wouldn't go through. Khalil El Dahr allegedly charged the cockpit as the pilot was exiting "yelling to be shot" and choking a flight attendant with a necktie in the process.
El Dahr was eventually subdued and restrained by half a dozen crew members. According to the affidavit, "flex cuffs were applied to El Dahr's wrists, but El Dahr resisted so much that El Dahr was able to break the cuffs and free himself. After, a second pair was fastened along with at least four seatbelt extenders to secure El Dahr to a a seat in the back of the plane."
El Dahr was taken into custody after the flight landed and is facing charges.
As unruly passenger incidents have soared this year, the FAA Tuesday asked passenger airlines to do more to address reports of mid-flight violence and out-of-line passengers. The rate of incidents has fallen dramatically after peaking in February and March, but remains unusually high.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) spoke to passengers at Logan:
Follow WBZ NewsRadio:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|iHeartmedia App