In mid-air meltdown, US man tries to open plane doors, have sex with crew
Prosecutors allege that 26-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco exhibited “violent” and “dangerous” behaviour during the flight, including attempts to open the plane’s doors and propositioning a flight attendant.
In Short
- Man arrested for disruptive behaviour on US flight
- Subdued by crew and passengers with restraints
- Faces multiple charges including assault and damage to jail
A man on a US airline’s flight was arrested for a violent and disruptive outburst that included attempting to open the plane’s doors mid-flight and trying to have sex with a flight attendant, federal prosecutors said.
According to the New York Post, 26-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco of New Jersey was aboard American Airlines flight 2101 from Seattle to Dallas on July 18 when he began exhibiting erratic behaviour, according to a criminal complaint.
Gapco allegedly removed his shirt, vaped, and propositioned a flight attendant, asking her to have sex with him. Video footage obtained by KSLTV5 shows the man yelling and acting aggressively as flight crew members attempted to calm him.
“I am sane! I am sane!” Gapco is heard screaming in a video. He also yells, “He’s hurting me!” as a group huddles around the lavatory in which he had locked himself.
To subdue Gapco, the flight crew and passengers took matters into their own hands, restraining his hands and feet with “flexible restraints”. A video shows a shirtless Gapco being escorted down the aisle with his hands bound.
The plane was diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport, where Gapco was arrested upon landing. He allegedly continued his unruly behaviour at the airport, smashing the glass door of a holding cell.
In addition to the initial charges of interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft, he faces state charges of damaging a jail and assault on an officer.
Prosecutors allege Gapco consumed approximately 10 marijuana edibles prior to the flight, and he also attempted to distribute unidentified pills to another passenger
