A Massachusetts man aboard a cross-country United Airlines flight on Sunday tried to open the emergency door while the flight was in the air and then tried to stab a flight attendant in the neck, prosecutors said.
Francisco Severo Torres, 33, was charged with one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and using a dangerous weapon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced Monday.
The incident took place on flight from Los Angeles to Boston Sunday, just under an hour before the plane was set to land at Boston Logan International Airport.
Here is what we know about the incident:
‘A threat to the aircraft’
About 45 minutes before the flight was scheduled to land, the flight crew was notified of an alarm in the cockpit that a starboard side door was disarmed, prosecutors said.
A flight attendant inspected the door and found the door’s locking handle was moved out of the fully locked position, according to court records. The emergency slide arming level was also moved to the “disarmed” position, prosecutors said.
It was then reported to the captain and flight crew.
A flight attendant told the captain he saw Torres near the door, and believed Torres tampered with the door, authorities said. Torres was confronted about the door, and asked if there were cameras on the plane that saw him do it, according to court documents.
The flight attendant notified the captain they believed Torres posed “a threat to the aircraft” and the captain “needed to land the aircraft as soon as possible.”
Flight attendant struck
After Torres was initially confronted, prosecutors say he got out of his seat and approached the side door where two flight attendants were located. One of the attendants saw Torres mouthing something before he attempted to stab one of them, prosecutors said.
“Torres then allegedly thrust towards one of the flight attendants in a stabbing motion with a broken metal spoon, hitting the flight attendant on the neck area three times,” prosecutors said.
Passengers tackled Torres and the flight crew assisted in restraining him before the flight landed, when he was taken into custody.
What did United say about the incident?
In a statement, United thanked the “quick action” of the flight crew and passengers for restraining a customer that became a “security concern.”
United said the flight landed safely and no serious injuries were reported. Data from FlightAware shows the flight landed in Boston early, just before 4:15 p.m. ET.
“We have zero tolerance for any type of violence on our flights, and this customer will be banned from flying on United pending an investigation,” United said.
Suspect was allegedly pacing before attack
Passengers on the flight told investigators that Torres asked another passenger where on the safety card it showed where the door handle was during the safety briefing before takeoff, prosecutors said.
Witnesses also said Torres was seen pacing in the galley before the incident.
Charges
Torres could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of his charges, prosecutors said, or up to five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He made his initial appearance in court Monday and was detained. He’s expect to return to court Thursday.