Flight diverted after woman strikes passenger, flight attendant
INDIANAPOLIS -- Officials say a Chicago-bound American Airlines flight was diverted to Indianapolis after a woman struck another passenger and a flight attendant.
Airline spokeswoman Laura Masvidal says the flight, which departed from Miami, landed around 5:45 p.m. Monday at Indianapolis International Airport.
Jeff Dutton, the airport's communications manager, says the woman had to be detained during the flight and was taken to the back of the plane. Dutton says the pilot decided to divert the flight after the woman struck a flight attendant and a passenger.
According to Dutton, the woman also kicked an airport police officer as she was being escorted off the plane.
One passenger, Jim Saviano, tweeted about the incident and posted video.
Just had emergency landing..pilot aggressively yelled cabin lock down everyone in their seats/need large men to restrain a psngr immediately
— SAVI (@djsavi) September 14, 2015
Definitely the most scared I've ever been in my life. Could only hear someone screaming and see several people in the back of the plane.
— SAVI (@djsavi) September 14, 2015
All because of some crazy chick...still waiting to hear what happened but thank god everyone is ok! pic.twitter.com/MLvm4vqzKe
— SAVI (@djsavi) September 14, 2015
The Indianapolis Star reports the woman was taken into custody and faces preliminary charges including battery resulting in bodily injury.
The flight left Indianapolis shortly after 7 p.m.