SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 25 April 2024, Thursday |

Passenger breaks into American Airlines cockpit at Honduras airport

The airline claimed on Tuesday that a customer stormed into the cockpit of an American Airlines plane at a Honduran airport and damaged the plane as it was boarding for a route to Miami before being brought into custody.

American Airlines said in a statement that crew members intervened and the individual, who was not immediately recognized, was apprehended by local police. There were no injuries reported.

As a pilot tried to stop him, the suspect raced down the jetway and into the cockpit, breaking flying controls and attempting to leap through an open window.

“We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation,” American said in its statement.

The damaged aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 121 passengers and six crew members, was grounded at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the airline said.

A replacement plane was on its way to Honduras and scheduled to depart at 9:30 p.m. local time.

    Source:
  • Reuters