Man, 33, is arrested after attempting to open an emergency exit and then stabbing a flight attendant in the neck with a broken metal spoon on United Airlines flight from LA to Boston
- Francisco Severo Torres, 33, was charged with interfering with crew members and using a dangerous weapon
- He was flying from LA to Boston on Sunday when he was spotted playing with an emergency exit
- Confronted by a flight attendant, he attempted to attack them with a broken spoon, but was restrained by the crew and other passengers.
A Massachusetts man has been arrested after he tried to open an airplane door in the air and then attacked a flight attendant who confronted him and tried to stab them with a broken spoon.
Francisco Severo Torres, 33, was charged with one count of interfering and attempted interfering with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.
He boarded a United Airlines plane in Los Angeles on Sunday, bound for Boston.
With 45 minutes left of the flight, a cabin crew member reported that an emergency exit had been tampered with.
A plane lands at Logan International Airport in Boston. Torres was arrested there on Sunday
“Thanks to the prompt action of our crew and customers, a customer was detained after becoming a safety concern on a flight from Los Angeles to Boston,” United said in a statement.
The flight landed safely and was met by police. No serious injuries have been reported.”
The airline said Torres was immediately banned from flying on their flights.
“We will not tolerate violence of any kind on our flights and this customer will be banned from flying United pending an investigation. We are cooperating with the police in their investigation.’
The charge of interference and attempted interference with the use of a dangerous weapon by flight crew members and crew members carries a prison sentence of up to five years under supervision and a fine of up to $250,000.
