LOS ANGELES — A passenger pulled a knife aboard a Dallas-bound American Airlines jetliner on a flight from Hawaii, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport.
No one was hurt, airline spokesman John Hotard said.
"Two hours into the flight he woke from his sleep and became unruly and got more aggressive and became verbally abusive," FBI Special Agent Matthew McLaughlin said. "He brandished a pocket knife with a two-inch blade and made threatening gestures."
Authorities said the man tried to force open a door on the Boeing 767 as it taxied toward the terminal. Airport police waiting at the gate tackled him as the aircraft neared the passenger ramp, McLaughlin said.
Paul Gordon Cochran, 46, was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for a mental evaluation. The FBI was investigating the case as felony interference with a flight crew, which could lead to a five-year prison term.
"There was no indication of any provocation at all," McLaughlin said. He said Cochran was "somewhat incoherent."
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Dirk van Ulden said:
CA Is Burning said:
Dirk, both the DOJ and the Florida AG are investigating the issue.
CA Is Burning said:
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