Flight passenger detained after attempting to strangle cabin crew member and asserting that the aircraft was plummeting, according to the DOJ.
Charles Angel Salva, aged 30, residing in Fermont, appeared in court for the first time on a Wednesday. He was charged with disrupting aircraft personnel, as per information disclosed by the US Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
The airplane was ascending post takeoff from Orange County, California, when cabinet crew members noticed that the oxygen masks from one of the plane's rows were missing from the overhead bin. The crew members investigated and discovered that Salva had his hand inside the overhead compartment, the US Attorney's Office reported.
A passenger informed law enforcement that it seemed like Salva was experiencing claustrophobia and appeared eager to exit the plane, according to the US Attorney's Office, adding that the man got his hand stuck in the overhead compartment after pulling the oxygen mask from there.
During the episode, Salva spewed vulgarities at the cabin crew members and allegedly stated, "We're all bound for hell," and "This aircraft is going down," the release said.
"Passengers managed to subdue Salva, who broke free from restraints and had to be secured with a seatbelt," the release stated. "During the incident, Salva kicked one flight attendant roughly six times in the leg, causing visible bruising and swelling, necessitating medical attention."
The flight attendant who Salva allegedly attempted to choke also had slight marks on her neck, according to the US Attorney's Office.
The flight attendants deemed it unsafe to reinstate Salva in his seat, prompting the flight to divert to Ontario International Airport, the release said.
CNN reached out to Salva's legal counsel for comment and to Frontier Airlines for additional information.
If found guilty, Salva faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, as per the US Attorney's Office.
Salva is currently detained in the custody of the US Marshals Service, as per court records. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26.
The FBI and the Ontario Police Department are currently investigating the incident.
In 2021, the US Federal Aviation Administration revealed that they would implement a zero-tolerance policy towards passengers exhibiting disruptive behavior on planes.
That year, passengers were penalized financially for various unruly incidents on flights across the United States, such as a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit and had to be restrained, and another who assaulted a flight attendant, sending them to the hospital. The most severe cases of in-flight misconduct are also reported to the Department of Justice.
The highest individual penalty, amounting to $40,823, was imposed on a traveler who brought their own alcohol on board, was drunk, attempted to smoke marijuana in the lavatory, and sexually assaulted a flight attendant – all during a single flight.
CNN’s Lilit Marcus contributed to this report.
Despite his perceived need for aid due to claustrophobia, Charles Angel Salva's unusual behavior on the flight led to allegations of disrupting aircraft personnel. Following the incident, Salva faced potential charges and a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison due to the zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behavior on planes established by the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2021.
Read also:
- Fear of escalation in the Middle East: US Secretary of State Blinken travels to the region again
- Government circles: US Secretary of State Blinken to travel to Middle East again
- Bridging days 2024: How you can double your vacation this year
- Germany has wanderlust: how tour operators and airlines are looking ahead to the next travel year
