Swiss’ plane has to turn around: He attacks the staff and tries to enter the cockpit!

In the spring, a recalcitrant passenger forced a Swiss plane to turn around. New details are now known.

A Swiss flight from New York to Zurich ended abruptly after a passenger became violent on board. In the spring, Blue News also reported on the incident. The plane had to turn around shortly after takeoff following an incident with a recalcitrant passenger.

New details about the case are now known. The competent judicial authority has published a report. Initially, CH Media reported the facts.

According to the report, 43-year-old Belgian David P.* tried to force his way into the cockpit and threatened the cabin crew.

Flight attendant indecently touched

The incident occurred on March 31. Shortly after takeoff, the passenger allegedly got up, touched a flight attendant indecently and shook her. He then allegedly banged on the cockpit door several times, shouted and asked the pilots to let him in.

A member of the crew was finally able to call for help by announcement. The crew managed to tackle the man to the ground and hold him until landing.

Back at Newark Airport, the attacker was taken into custody by the police. A cabin crew member, injured by David P., had to be hospitalized.

If convicted, he faces prison

The passenger is now charged with three counts: among others, assault of cabin crew and attempted intrusion into the cockpit. He was released on $100,000 bail while awaiting trial. If convicted, he risks up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

A Swiss spokesperson explained to CH Media that the airline takes this type of incident very seriously and that it provides psychological monitoring of the crew. “We are in close contact with the entire crew and offer interviews with trained experts,” the airline said. The attacked flight attendant quickly recovered and returned to Switzerland with the crew.

The number of recalcitrant passengers has increased in recent years. For Swiss airlines like Swiss and Edelweiss alone, 1,347 incidents were reported in 2022. Globally, the problem is also on the rise: according to the airline association IATA, such incidents occurred last year on approximately one in 480 flights.

* Name changed