(NEXSTAR) — A group of passengers aboard a Dallas-bound flight restrained a man with duct tape after he claimed to be the “captain” and attempted to open the cabin door of an American Airlines plane midair, authorities said.
The plane was headed from Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the man got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant and told her he needed to exit immediately, according to an incident report from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.
The flight attendant told police officers that the man became agitated and jumped on top of her while trying to gain access to the door, injuring her left wrist and neck in the process.
During the scuffle, the flight attendant said a passenger, identified as Doug McCright, bear-hugged the man, trying to pull him off of her.
Speaking with TODAY, McCright told the outlet the only thing he could think of at that moment was, “I’ve got to stop this guy.”
Police noted in the report that at one point, another passenger witnessed the unruly traveler attack a second flight attendant and place her in a “semi choke hold.”
Several passengers eventually subdued the man and used duct tape from a safety kit to restrain his hands and ankles, according to the incident report.
When the plane safely landed at DFW International Airport, police officers and FBI agents were waiting. The man, whose full name was not released, was detained for a mental evaluation and has not been charged with a crime. An airport spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing.
American Airlines also released a statement to Nexstar, saying, “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we thank our team members and customers for managing a difficult situation.”
The Nov. 19 incident is the latest example of disorderly passenger behavior on flights. So far this year, the Federal Aviation Administration said it has received 1,854 reports of unruly passengers — though, a significant drop from the 5,973 reports filed in 2021.
Over the summer, the FAA said in a news release that it has referred more than 310 of the most severe cases to the FBI since 2021. These cases range from travelers assaulting crew members and fellow passengers to throwing luggage and trying to open exit doors.
The FAA reminded travelers it has a zero-tolerance policy toward such behavior, with fines reaching up to $37,000 per violation.