Passenger caught on video punching flight attendant during Mexico-to-LA flight
A passenger who allegedly punched a flight attendant in the back of the head during an American Airlines flight from Mexico to Los Angeles was taken into custody after the flight landed Wednesday, CBS Los Angeles reports.
The airline said in a statement that the incident occurred on Flight 377 from San José del Cabo to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The FBI, which is handling the investigation since the alleged assault occurred during the flight, said 33-year-old Alexander Tung Cuu Le of Westminster, Calif., was taken into custody on suspicion of disturbing a flight crew, a federal offense.
Video taken by a passenger, Barrie Livingstone, shows the flight attendant standing in the aisle, facing the back of the plane, asking a passenger: “Are you threatening me. Are you threatening me?”[ads1]; He then turns and starts heading towards the front of the plane.
At that point, a passenger is seen rushing up to him and punching him hard before going back to his seat.
A producer for CBS San Diego affiliate KFMB-TV, Malik Earnest, who was on board, cited “witnesses” who said fellow passengers “helped restrain” the suspect until the plane landed. He was escorted off the plane by Los Angeles Airport Police.
American Airlines released a statement saying the passenger “physically assaulted a flight attendant” and “will never be allowed to travel with us in the future.”
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, a union representing more than 24,000 flight attendants at American Airlines, also publicly responded to the alleged assault in a statement released Thursday. The organization called the incident “dangerous”, “life-threatening” and part of a pattern of similar situations putting flight attendants at risk.
“This violent behavior puts the safety of all passengers and crew at risk and must stop,” said AFPA National President Julie Hendrick. “APFA fully supports the crew members affected and will do everything possible to ensure that the passenger faces prosecution to the full extent of the law.”
