A Frontier Airlines flight traveling from Puerto Rico to Chicago was forced to make an emergency diversion to Miami after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an aircraft exit door and later tried to gain access to the cockpit during a frightening disturbance in the air.

The incident occurred Sunday aboard Frontier Flight 3345, which had departed from San Juan and was en route to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said the crew reported a “passenger disturbance” during the flight.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, flight attendants and passengers observed a man behaving erratically and attempting to open one of the aircraft’s exit doors. Witnesses told authorities that the passenger repeatedly said he wanted to get off the plane.

Officials said crew members instructed the man to remain seated and stop his disruptive behavior, but he allegedly refused to comply. Instead, he reportedly moved toward the front of the aircraft and attempted to enter the pilots’ compartment.

As the situation escalated, an off-duty flight attendant who was traveling as a passenger volunteered to sit near the man in an effort to help monitor him and keep the situation under control.

Authorities said the encounter turned physical when the off-duty attendant briefly left his seat to use the restroom. During that time, the disruptive passenger allegedly attempted to grab the attendant’s bag and then tried to choke him.

Flight attendants and several passengers ultimately intervened and were able to restrain the man while the aircraft was redirected to Miami International Airport.

The plane landed safely shortly before noon local time. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft, took the passenger into custody, and arrested him. Authorities said he has not yet been publicly identified and was charged with misdemeanor battery.

Frontier Airlines later confirmed the incident and said the disruption caused only a temporary interruption to the flight’s journey.

“Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger, and the flight subsequently continued on to Chicago a few hours later,” a Frontier Airlines spokesperson said.

After the passenger was removed, the flight resumed service and departed for Chicago later that day.

{Matzav.com}