FAA IMPOSES OVER $225K IN FINES AGAINST PASSENGERS FOR ALLEGED UNRULY BEHAVIOR INVOLVING PHYSICAL ASSAULT
December 20, 2021
The FAA recently announced via press release that it has proposed $225,287 in civil penalties against ten airline passengers for alleged unruly behavior that involved physical assault of other passengers or crewmembers. The FAA also reported that since January 1, 2021, it has received more than 100 reports of unruly behavior that involved physical assault, which is strictly prohibited under federal law. The breakdown of cases and fines are as follows:
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$32,000 against a passenger who allegedly failed to follow crew instructions to fasten her seatbelt, and punched and screamed at her husband and son, repeatedly, causing a diversion of flight attendants from their duties. The passenger also allegedly threw trash at a flight attendant, and snatched cookies from a nearby passenger.
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$20,000 against a passenger who allegedly yelled orders at multiple flight attendants while the plane taxied from the gate. According to the FAA, the passenger also removed his seatbelt, left his seat while the fastened seatbelt sign was on, and refused to return to his seat after a flight attendant instructed him to do so. He also threatened a flight attendant and while moving up and down the aisle during taxiing, he made physical contact with a flight attendant, and continued yelling profanities. The flight returned to the gate and law enforcement officers were forced to board the flight to remove the passenger.
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$26,787 against a passenger who allegedly, during final descent and despite crew instruction to remain seated, left his seat and attempted to enter the cockpit. Additionally, while the aircraft braked during touch down and flight attendants attempted to hold him down to keep the passenger from injuring himself; the passenger began punching one of the flight attendants, which resulted in the flight attendant needing medical attention.
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$25,000 against a passenger who allegedly refused crew instruction to stow her carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. According to reports, the crew instructed her to exit the aircraft and speak with ground station personnel, and ground station personnel informed her that she could not continue with the flight. Upon re-boarding the aircraft to collect her carry-on luggage, the passenger sat in a seat, held onto the armrest, shouted loudly and aggressively, and used derogatory language and obscene gestures towards a crewmember. Additionally, as she disembarked, the passenger broke loose from a travel companion’s grip and spat on a crewmember.
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$24,000 against a passenger who allegedly failed to follow crew instruction to wear her facemask during boarding. According to reports, the passenger and her travel companions were also disruptive while the aircraft stayed at the gate due to a minor mechanical issue, causing several passengers to request a seat reassignment to avoid the group. Additionally, after the captain requested to remove the passenger from the aircraft, the passenger physically assaulted a flight attendant by shoving her in the chest.
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$24,000 against a passenger for failing to comply with the facemask policy and intentionally elbowing a flight attendant and later kicking him.
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$24,000 against a passenger who refused to follow crew instruction to wear a mask, threatening crewmembers, cursing at crewmembers, and shoving a crewmember.
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$23,000 against a passenger who verbally abused flight attendants after she realized her assigned seat would not recline. Even after agreeing to switch seats with another passenger, the passenger continued to verbally abuse flight attendants and then struck a flight attendant on the right forearm and continued to try to strike the flight attendant several times thereafter.
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$17,500 against a passenger who used profane language and physically assaulted a flight crewmember.
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$9,000 against a passenger who stomped and/or kicked the feet of the passenger seated behind him.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6665).
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