A passenger who was taped to an airplane seat last year for biting a flight attendant received the largest fine in history, the FAA said on Friday.
The unidentified woman tried to open the plane door during a flight between Dallas and Charlotte and responded with bites and spitting when a flight attendant tried to restrain her. An FAA ruling calls for a payment of US$81,950 (approximately R$385,000).
But even after paying the fine, she could still face criminal prosecution, the US Civil Aviation Administration said.
A woman who caused “safety threats” on a flight between Dallas and Charlotte was taped to her seat last week. In a video taken by another passenger, she can still be seen tied to the seat. See the VIDEO above.
According to a statement from American Airlines, the woman tried to open a door of the plane and then injured a flight attendant, who attacked her with bites and spit.
The incident occurred on Flight 1774, which departed July 6 from Dallas, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina with 190 passengers on board.
“For the safety of other customers and our crew, she was held until the flight landed and was able to be attended to by law enforcement and rescue workers,” the statement said.
According to the passenger who posted the video, around 1:30 a.m. the cabin lights went on and there was an unusual movement from the flight attendants, who ran to where the woman, apparently during a nervous breakdown, was trying to open the door which, according to American Airlines, would be impossible.
Witnesses say she said she wanted to get off the plane and the flight attendants had to let her out while they were knocking on doors. After landing, the woman was taken to a hospital for examination.