Scuffle forces turnaround for Southwest flight, man arrested after threatening police
A passenger was arrested after a ruckus on a Southwest Airlines flight, and then made threats to kill a police officer.
The ‘intoxicated’ man also later tried to attack an airline employee, according to unsealed court papers.
Aaron Sweeney, 28, was charged with public intoxication, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant after he was thrown off a flight along with another man.
Sweeney began starting punching another passenger who was also escorted off the flight but was not charged.
The fight caused the pilot to turn around Southwest flight 3590 and land back at Austion Bergstrom Airport earlier this week.
The flight had just taken off for Chicago Midway.
The second man said he did not know his seatmate Sweeney and was stunned when Sweeney placed him in a headlock and began lashing out for no apparent reason.
When placed under arrest Sweeney became even more aggressive, police say, and had to be forcibly strapped into a wheelchair.
Even then he continued to threaten officers.
Austin police said Sweeney may face additional charges including the federal charge of interfering with a flight.
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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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