A Frontier Airlines flight from Denver to Houston (Flight 4856) experienced a mid-flight disturbance on Tuesday, February 4, when a male passenger began acting erratically. The incident occurred approximately 20-30 minutes into the flight.
Incident Details:
Erratic Behavior: The passenger, who has not been named, began kicking the seat in front of him after a woman seated there asked him to switch seats. He then started punching the window beside him.
Window Damage: The passenger hit the window with such force that he cracked the plexiglass covering it. His hands were cut in the process, leaving blood on the window and ceiling.
Passenger Intervention: Fellow passengers, including Tanner Phillips, a former member of the military, stepped in to restrain the man after flight attendants requested assistance. They used zip ties and a shoelace to secure him.
Continued Flight: Instead of making an emergency landing, the flight continued to Houston with passengers ensuring the man remained restrained for the remainder of the journey, about two hours.
Safe Landing: The flight landed safely in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at approximately 10:20 p.m. local time. Passengers applauded those who helped restrain the man.
Aftermath:
Police Response: The Houston Police Department was on the scene when the plane landed.
No Charges Filed: Frontier Airlines declined to press charges at the scene. Police are contacting airport officials to determine what happened to the man.
FBI Investigation: The FBI is now involved in investigating the incident.
Passengers' Concerns: Passengers expressed concerns about in-flight security and suggested measures such as air marshals or better training for flight attendants.
Reactions:
Victoria Clark: A passenger on the flight told ABC News that after the woman in front asked the man to switch seats, "This man quickly became enraged, profusely kicking the woman's seat and trying to break the window". Clark also stated, "I started having a panic attack. [I thought] it could be a terrorist attack".
Tanner Phillips: Phillips, a former member of the military, said, "This guy was just going crazy. He was screaming in multiple languages, punching out the window and laying back and trying to kick it out. I wanted to help as much as I could".
Chloe Starcevic: Starcevic told Good Morning America that "Hearing the stewardess walk down the aisles screaming, 'Does anybody have a belt? Does anybody have shoe string, was absolutely terrifying
Incident Details:
Erratic Behavior: The passenger, who has not been named, began kicking the seat in front of him after a woman seated there asked him to switch seats. He then started punching the window beside him.
Window Damage: The passenger hit the window with such force that he cracked the plexiglass covering it. His hands were cut in the process, leaving blood on the window and ceiling.
Passenger Intervention: Fellow passengers, including Tanner Phillips, a former member of the military, stepped in to restrain the man after flight attendants requested assistance. They used zip ties and a shoelace to secure him.
Continued Flight: Instead of making an emergency landing, the flight continued to Houston with passengers ensuring the man remained restrained for the remainder of the journey, about two hours.
Safe Landing: The flight landed safely in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at approximately 10:20 p.m. local time. Passengers applauded those who helped restrain the man.
Aftermath:
Police Response: The Houston Police Department was on the scene when the plane landed.
No Charges Filed: Frontier Airlines declined to press charges at the scene. Police are contacting airport officials to determine what happened to the man.
FBI Investigation: The FBI is now involved in investigating the incident.
Passengers' Concerns: Passengers expressed concerns about in-flight security and suggested measures such as air marshals or better training for flight attendants.
Reactions:
Victoria Clark: A passenger on the flight told ABC News that after the woman in front asked the man to switch seats, "This man quickly became enraged, profusely kicking the woman's seat and trying to break the window". Clark also stated, "I started having a panic attack. [I thought] it could be a terrorist attack".
Tanner Phillips: Phillips, a former member of the military, said, "This guy was just going crazy. He was screaming in multiple languages, punching out the window and laying back and trying to kick it out. I wanted to help as much as I could".
Chloe Starcevic: Starcevic told Good Morning America that "Hearing the stewardess walk down the aisles screaming, 'Does anybody have a belt? Does anybody have shoe string, was absolutely terrifying
