A Delta Air Lines flight made an emergency landing in Oklahoma City, United States after a passenger allegedly assaulted two people, authorities said.
“The passenger assaulted a flight attendant,” CNN quoted Oklahoma City Police Capt. Arthur Gregory.
An air marshal on board Flight 324 also allegedly was assaulted while attempting to subdue the passenger, who was eventually restrained.
The Boeing 757-200 aircraft landed at Will Rogers World Airport at around 7:40pm local time. The man was removed from the flight and questioned by the FBI.
Police charged and arrested the man with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
The Transportation Security Administration said the suspect had been drinking.
A video shot shows Pennington being led off the plane by two uniformed Oklahoma City Police officers.
“I’m trying to figure out why I’m getting arrested though,” Pennington is heard saying. “What happened?”
About three hours into the flight, a crew member made an announcement on the intercom system asking for “able-bodied men” to assist a flight attendant in the back of the plane, Mucha said.
Shortly after the announcement, one of the pilots informed passengers that they would be diverting to Oklahoma City, the reporter said.
While on the ground, Mucha began filming as authorities led Pennington off the plane.
“They had to do health checks on the flight attendant so that he was OK to fly,” she said. “Once he was cleared, he continued to fly all the way to (Los Angeles).”
TSA said the incident was not over mask rules. Last week, the federal mask mandate on all forms of public transportation including commercial flights was extended through March 18.
The Federal Aviation Administration says alcohol is a top driver for violent passenger disturbances on commercial flights.
Last month, the FAA said it “received nearly 300 reports of passenger disturbances due to alcohol and intoxication” this year.
The FAA announced fines in late November for eight passengers totaling $161,823 for alleged alcohol-related unruly behavior.