Latest news with #MarioNikprelaj
News18
2 days ago
- News18
US Flight Diverted After Man Tries To Open Emergency Door Mid-Air, Threatens To Kill Attendant
The SkyWest Flight 612 was carrying 67 passengers and four crew members when the disturbance took place A US flight from Detroit to Omaha was forced to make an emergency landing after a man attempted to open the emergency exit door mid-air and threatened to kill a flight attendant. The incident took place on Thursday (July 17) and the passenger, 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj, also pushed a flight attendant during the episode. The SkyWest Flight 612 was carrying 67 passengers and four crew members when the disturbance occurred. According to a report by The New York Times, as the situation escalated, the pilots diverted the flight and made a safe landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where police were waiting. Nikprelaj was then escorted off the plane and taken into custody. The 23-year-old is currently being held in Linn County under a federal hold and is expected to make his first court appearance next week at the federal court in Cedar Rapids. According to fellow passenger Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, who spoke to the publication, Nikprelaj had been behaving oddly even before takeoff. He stood up during the takeoff and later attempted to open the emergency exit during the drink service. Crew members and passengers quickly intervened to stop him. SkyWest Airlines released a statement confirming that the flight was diverted due to 'an unruly customer." The airline said the plane later continued its journey after the passenger was removed. 'SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority," the statement added. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into the incident. 'The FBI takes threats to aviation seriously and we work with our partners to address crimes occurring on commercial aircraft that endanger the safety of passengers, flight crews, and flight attendants," the agency said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Man Threatens Flight Attendant, Attempts To Open Emergency Exit On US Flight
A US plane bound for Omaha from Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday (Jul 17) after a man threatened to kill a flight attendant. The 23-year-old passenger shoved the attendant and also attempted to open the emergency exit door when the plane was mid-air. As the situation escalated, the pilots landed the SkyWest Flight 612, carrying 67 passengers and four crew members, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After the safe landing, the suspect was captured on video being escorted off the plane by police. The Cedar Rapids Police Department identified the arrested passenger as Mario Nikprelaj. He remains in custody in Linn County on a federal hold, online jail records show. He is scheduled to make his first appearance on the complaint next week at the Cedar Rapids federal court, according to a report in The New York Times. Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, a passenger on the flight, said Nikprelaj had exhibited erratic behaviour from the start of the journey. He unfastened his seatbelt and stood up during takeoff. Then, during drink service, Nikprelaj made a lunge for the emergency exit. Apart from assault and disorderly conduct, Nikprelaj has been charged with harassment and unlawful possession of prescription medication. He failed to affix a proper tax stamp on 41 pills of Alprazolam -- an anti-anxiety drug commonly sold as Xanax, which was found on him at the time of arrest. The authorities added that he could be charged with additional charges as well. SkyWest Airlines confirmed in a statement that the flight had been diverted "due to an unruly customer" and that the plane later continued to Detroit after that person was detained. "SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority," the airline said. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said a probe had been initiated with Nikprelaj's background being checked. "The FBI takes threats to aviation seriously and we work with our partners to address crimes occurring on commercial aircraft that endanger the safety of passengers, flight crews, and flight attendants," the FBI said in a statement.
New York Times
3 days ago
- New York Times
Plane Is Diverted After Man Threatens to Kill Flight Attendant, Authorities Say
A jet plane traveling to Detroit from Omaha on Thursday evening was forced to make an emergency landing after a 23-year-old passenger shoved a flight attendant, threatened to kill him and lunged in an apparent effort to open an emergency exit door midflight, according to the authorities and another passenger. The man, Mario Nikprelaj of Elkhorn, Neb., was arrested by the police in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after the plane touched down at Eastern Iowa Airport, the authorities said. He was charged with several crimes, including assault and disorderly conduct. Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, a passenger on Flight 3612, which was operated by SkyWest Airlines, an independent carrier that runs regional jets for Delta Air Lines as Delta Connection, was flying home to Michigan after a work trip. He said in an interview on Friday that Mr. Nikprelaj's behavior had been erratic from the beginning of the flight. He said that Mr. Nikprelaj had unfastened his seatbelt and stood up during takeoff. Then, during drink service, Mr. Nikprelaj, who was seated in the exit row, prompted panic among passengers when he lunged for an emergency exit in an apparent attempt to fling it open, Mr. Van der Waarden said. 'One guy is yelling: 'Hey, we need help back here! He's trying to open the door,'' Mr. Van der Waarden said. Mr. Van der Waarden said that he felt the plane suddenly being diverted when a pilot, citing an unruly passenger's behavior, announced that it would be landing in Cedar Rapids. As the plane was descending, Mr. Nikprelaj began marching toward the front of the plane and again quarreled with passengers and crew members who tried to stop him, Mr. Van der Waarden said. 'He was just being very aggressive,' he said. Video captured by Mr. Van der Waarden from inside the plane after landing showed a man in a white T-shirt, hands bound behind him, being escorted off the plane by law enforcement officers. It remained grounded for more than two hours while the police took statements from passengers and the crew, Mr. Van der Waarden said. SkyWest Airlines confirmed in a statement that the flight had been diverted 'due to an unruly customer' and that the plane later continued to Detroit after that person was detained. In addition to assault and disorderly conduct, Mr. Nikprelaj was charged with harassment, unlawful possession of prescription medication and a failure to affix a proper tax stamp on 41 pills of Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug commonly sold as Xanax, which the police found on him at the time of the arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed on Friday by the Linn County assistant attorney. The Cedar Rapids Police Department said on Thursday that Mr. Nikprelaj could face additional charges. Mr. Nikprelaj could not be reached for comment on Friday, and it was not clear if he had a lawyer. He appeared before a judge on Friday morning, and a judge set his bail at $10,000.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Unruly behaviour': Detroit-bound Delta Airlines flight diverted as passenger tries to open door mid-air; fights with attendant
Image: ClickOnDetroit A Delta Airlines flight bound for Detroit from Omaha was forced to make an emergency landing in eastern Iowa after a passenger reportedly fought with a flight attendant and tried to open an exit door mid-air, as per the pilot's communication with air traffic controllers, reported AP. Shortly after 6.00 pm on Thursday, the pilot of SkyWest Airlines Flight 3612 radioed the control tower at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, requesting an emergency landing due to the disruptive passenger on board. Plane bound for Detroit Metro Airport diverted due to passenger trying to open exit door mid-flight 'He's in a fight with our flight attendant right now, trying to open the emergency exit,' the pilot said, according to a recording captured by LiveATC. Delta Connection Flight 3612, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was approximately one-third into its journey from Omaha to Detroit on Thursday when the incident occurred. Passengers and crew attempted to stop the man from opening the door of the flight. The passenger, identified as Mario Nikprelaj by the Cedar Rapids police, was immediately arrested after the flight landed in Iowa airport in Cedar Rapids. He is currently facing charges of disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, and first-degree harassment, with additional charges still possible. The flight was able to continue on to Detroit later Thursday night, as per a statement issued by SkyWest Airlines, a Utah-based regional carrier that operates flights for major airlines including United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines. 'SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority,' the airlines said in a statement. Nikprelaj appeared in court on Friday, where a judge set his bond at $10,000, reported CNN.
Global News
3 days ago
- Global News
Plane makes emergency landing after passenger attempts to open door mid-flight
A flight from Omaha, Neb., to Detroit was diverted on Thursday due to an 'unruly passenger,' according to police. SkyWest Flight 3612, which was operating as a Delta connection for the flight, left Omaha's Eppley Airfield and was diverted to the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, because of an 'in-air disturbance' by a passenger. The passenger allegedly got into an altercation with a flight attendant and attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight. 'The flight diverted to Cedar Rapids where police officers met the flight and arrested the individual,' the Cedar Rapids Police Department said in a press release. Mario Nikprelaj, 23, from Nebraska, was transported to the Linn County Correctional Centre and charged with disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, a tax stamp violation and first-degree harassment. Story continues below advertisement Police added that further charges are possible pending further investigation. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement, SkyWest Airlines said it has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour, 'as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority.' Nikprelaj appeared in court virtually from Linn County Jail on Friday and a judge gave him a US$10,000 bond and a no-contact order, according to ABC affiliate KCRG. This marks yet another incident this year involving a passenger attempting to open an aircraft door mid-flight. In April, a man was arrested and charged after he allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit doors of an AirAsia X plane mid-flight twice. The incident took place on a Sydney-bound flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to Australian Federal Police. Story continues below advertisement After the man was escorted to a seat in the middle of the aircraft, he allegedly once again tried to open a different emergency exit door and was then restrained by the plane's crew. During the interaction, the man allegedly assaulted one of the plane's employees. 'The man was then restrained by crew and passengers, during which he allegedly assaulted an airline staff member,' police said. Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, 46, from Jordan, was charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting cabin crew. He was arrested by police when the flight landed at Sydney International Airport.
