Man on San Francisco-bound flight shouts “this airplane is going down” while assaulting crew, prosecutors say
The suspect now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
A man tampered with an airplane’s overhead oxygen masks and shouted “this airplane is going down!” in the latest wild scene aboard an aircraft.
Charles Angel Salva, 30, was charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants in connection to the incident. He faces 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
The incident happened on a September 9 Frontier Airlines flight from Orange County, California, to San Francisco, according to federal prosecutors.
Shortly after takeoff, flight attendants saw oxygen masks were out of the overhead compartment in one of the rows. They investigated and discovered Silva had his hand in the overhead bin.
A witness said Salva appeared claustrophobic and seemed like he wanted to get off the plane.
The suspect then pulled the oxygen masks down and got his hand stuck in the process. A passenger helped free him, according to prosecutors.
Then, Salva yelled obscenities at the flight attendant. He said, “we are all going to hell” and “this airplane is going down!” authorities said.
He grabbed at a fellow passenger and ran to the rear of the plane as the crew worked to restrain him. Salva then tried to choke a flight attendant and left marks on her neck.
Salva pushed another crew member and said he was going to kill everyone on the plane.
Other passengers helped restrain Silva, who eventually broke out of the flex cuffs and had to be restrained by a seatbelt, officials said. During the incident, Salva kicked one attendant six times, causing bruising and swelling.
The flight was diverted to Ontario because the crew did not feel safe trying to put Salva back in his seat, according to prosecutors.
Salva was arrested on Wednesday in connection to the case.