Drunken plane threat………..
An AAP report says that a German tourist who threatened to “bring down” a plane travelling some 30,000 feet over Western Australia has been jailed by a Sydney court.
Radio technician Burkhard Kottsieper, 56, had planned to spend time touring Australia with his wife, but will instead spend at least nine months in prison.
Kottsieper threatened to open a cabin door on Etihad flight FY450 about 2am (AEST) on Friday, September 28, as the plane headed towards Sydney en route from Abu Dhabi.
He flew into a rage after consuming an “unknown quantity” of whiskey and being denied further drinks, according to facts tendered to Sydney’s Central Local Court.
Kottsieper today pleaded guilty to threatening to destroy an aircraft and committing an act of violence on an aircraft.
He was sentenced to 12 months jail with a minimum term of nine months for the first charge, with a concurrent sentence of six months for the second offence.
Three other charges were withdrawn.
The court was told the trouble began when a flight attendant refused to serve Kottsieper more whiskey because he “appeared intoxicated”.
He was offered water but became hostile and aggressive and threatened to “smash” the attendant in the face.
He then threatened to “cause an incident” by opening a cabin door.
“I’m going to open the door and bring down the plane and make sure everyone goes down,” Kottsieper said.
He was formally warned by supervising flight attendant Mildred Samula but again threatened to “bring the airplane down”.
Ms Samula forced a struggling Kottsieper to the floor with the assistance of another passenger before extra cabin crew helped restrain him in flexicuffs.
He was arrested when the plane touched down at Sydney’s international airport.
Kottsieper has lodged an appeal.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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