Flight attendant charged with starting fire on plane
Monday, 03 Mar, 2016
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An American Airlines flight attendant is facing criminal charges after being accused of starting a fire aboard a commercial jet in flight.
The FBI says Johnathan Tafoya-Montano deliberately set fire to paper towels in the bathroom of flight AA1418 as it was on approach to Detroit from Dallas on February 1.
Investigators said he immediately put the fire out and then a short time later returned to the bathroom with a fire extinguisher and alerted other crew members.
After giving investigators several false stories, Tafoya-Montano eventually admitted starting the fire, the FBI said.
No one was injured in the fire and the plane landed safely without incident.
The 23-year-old flight attendant was charged with destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities and making false statements.
He was released on bond under the condition he cannot board an aircraft without the court’s permission.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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