Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Dallas-Fort Worth took swift action on Tuesday to restrain a man who allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door during the flight.
According to reports, the disruptive passenger, a Canadian national, approached a flight attendant in the front galley and insisted on exiting the plane immediately. When the flight attendant tried to intervene, he became increasingly agitated, claiming he was the “captain” and needed to leave the aircraft.
The situation escalated as the man lunged toward the cabin door, injuring the flight attendant in the process. She managed to signal nearby passengers for help.
Doug McCright, one of the passengers seated in the front row, reacted by bear-hugging the unruly man to pull him away from the door. “The only thought was, ‘I’ve got to stop this guy,’” McCright later recounted.
Another passenger, Charlie Boris, also jumped in to assist. Boris explained that his instinct took over when he heard about the attempted door breach. He helped pin the man to the ground and used duct tape to restrain his legs. “It took at least three people to keep him down,” Boris said, adding that the man spoke about being from Toronto and seeing a therapist.
When the plane landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, authorities boarded to find the man restrained with duct tape, lying on his stomach with his hands and ankles bound. He was taken for evaluation, and an investigation is ongoing.
American Airlines confirmed that the restraint tape used was part of a safety kit onboard. “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority. We thank everyone involved for managing a difficult situation,” the airline said in a statement.
