A flight from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City after an unruly passenger attacked a flight attendant, police said.
An air traffic controller who was on board the Delta Air Lines flight had taken the passenger into custody when the flight landed Thursday night, Oklahoma City Police Captain Arthur Gregory told KFOR TV station.
The traffic safety agency says the air traffic controller was also attacked and injured during the response, but did not need medical attention.
The flight continued to Los Angeles after the passenger was removed.
In a statement, Delta praised the “quick action and professionalism” of its crew and air traffic controllers for handling the situation.
Last month, Attorney General Merrick Garland instructed US attorneys across the country to prioritize prosecuting federal crimes that occur on commercial flights amid an historic surge in unruly passenger cases.
Federal law prohibits interference with the flight crew, including attacking, intimidating, or threatening any crew member.
The Federal Aviation Administration said last month that it has referred 37 cases of recalcitrant passengers to the FBI for possible prosecution since flight disruptions began to rise in January.
Associated press
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