An American Airlines flight from Seattle to Dallas was forced to divert to Salt Lake City on 18 July after a 26-year-old passenger allegedly attempted to open the aircraft doors while in flight. The incident occurred on flight 2101, which landed safely at Salt Lake City International Airport, where the passenger was arrested.
Eric Nicholas Gapco, from Delanco, New Jersey, has been charged with interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft. According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Utah, Gapco allegedly failed to follow crew instructions, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, was repeatedly loud, vaped, bothered other passengers, locked himself in the lavatory, and attempted to open the exterior doors multiple times.
Flight crew and other passengers restrained Gapco using flexible restraints on his hands and feet for the remainder of the flight. Prosecutors also allege he tried to hand another passenger a bag of pills, and told arresting officers he had consumed approximately 10 marijuana edibles.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Salt Lake City Police Department are investigating. Gapco is expected to appear in court on 1 August. An American Airlines spokesperson thanked crew and passengers for their professionalism and understanding, emphasising that safety and security are the airline's top priority.
