Woman Accused of Assault & Charging Cabin Door Mid Flight to “Get Off The Plane”
A Tennessee woman has been charged in a criminal complaint with interfering with a flight crew after she allegedly assaulted two flight attendants and charged the main cabin door, claiming she was going to “get off the plane”.
Amanda Renee Henry, 43, was on a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee on November 27. Henry had consumed a number of alcoholic drinks and a crew member had decided to cut her off, according to the criminal complaint. She allegedly became disruptive, appeared to be intoxicated and was witnessed by other passengers vaping during the flight. The complaint also stated Henry made several passengers uncomfortable by placing her hands on them and making lewd comments.
Concerned for the passengers safety, the crew asked Henry to switch her seat, which was located next to an emergency exit. That is when Henry charged the cabin door and yelled, “I am getting off this plane!”. According to prosecutors, a flight attendant blocked her path and attempted to restrain her. A second flight attendant assisted with restraining Henry, who kicked and pulled the hair of one of the crew members until they were able to handcuff and place her into a seat.
An off duty firefighter sat next to Henry and attempted to keep her calm for the remainder of the flight. When the plane landed in Nashville, Henry was briefly detained by police on a public intoxication charge. After further investigation by the FBI, Henry was charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants. She has since turned herself in.
Henry is expected to have her initial appearance on Tuesday in the Middle District of Tennessee. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
In other flight news…….
