Man With Yemen Passport Arrested for Pounding on Cockpit Door During U.S. Flight
- Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:02am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Crew members and passengers wrestled a 28-year-old man to the cabin floor after he began pounding on the cockpit as an American Airlines flight approached San Francisco, the third security incident in a day on U.S. planes, authorities said Monday.
The man was yelling unintelligibly as he brushed past a flight attendant about 10 minutes before American Airlines Flight 1561 was due at San Francisco International Airport Sunday night, Sgt. Michael Rodriguez of the San Francisco police said.
A male flight attendant tackled the suspect, who carried a Yemen passport, and other crew members aided as the suspect banged on the cockpit door.
“He asked for help; a couple of passengers joined in,” Rodriguez told The Associated Press. “They were able to get him to ground and a flight attendant put him in plastic handcuffs.”
The Boeing 737 carrying 162 people landed safely at 9:10 p.m. and the man was taken into police custody.
He was identified as 28-year-old Rageit Almurisi. Though he carried a Yemen passport, it wasn’t clear if his nationality was also Yemeni, Rodgriguez said.
Almurisi was charged with interfering with a flight crew, a federal offense. No motive has been established and the officer said he had no information when asked if the disturbance was linked to terrorism.
During the scuffle, Almurisi sustained some bruises and was checked at a hospital before being transported to San Mateo County Jail, the officer said.
No one else on the plane was hurt and the airport continued operating normally with security levels unchanged, the officer said.
It was the third disturbance of the day in U.S. airspace.
A Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Chicago diverted in St. Louis after a 34-year-old man from Illinois tried to open a plane door during the flight, officials said.
Continental spokeswoman Julie King said Flight No. 546 landed around 1:30 p.m. and was grounded about an hour before resuming it journey.
FBI and airport police questioned the passenger. No charges have been filed.
Shortly before that, a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to San Diego was landed instead in Albuquerque, N.M., because of a security scare but authorities found “no suspicious devices” on the plane, an FBI spokesman said.
Agency spokesman Frank Fisher declined to clarify the nature of the “potential security threat” that caused Flight 1706 to land in New Mexico. He said agents searched the plane and interviewed the crew and 107 passengers before clearing the aircraft to fly again.
Albuquerque International Sunport spokesman Daniel Jiron also declined to say what the potential threat was. No one was arrested.
The flight was diverted at 10 a.m. MDT, and Jiron said it was cleared to fly again around 12:30 p.m.
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Comments (96)
Konacow
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:40amThey should have put a plastic bag over his head and waited intil he stopped flopping around, problem solved !!!
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:39amOne “Glazzer Safety Slug” would have taken care of him with a bang.
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:39amAll the nuts are up in the air these days Think I will stick to my auto
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:31amYep, agreed. Plus, I can pack heat in my car without worrying about Uncle Tyrant trying to disarm me and make criminals safe.
Report Post »Pattondog
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:38amtesting the waters is all they are doing and if they can score a politically correct law suit as a red hearing you bet they will use that angle too. wake up libs
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:35amHello Continental?! Take some clues from the Delta pilot–throw them off before you fly!
Report Post »ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:34amSecurity probes.
Report Post »Now this is Art
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:33amcan we just PLEASE get ride of the freakin muslims already?
Report Post »randy
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:49amYou do know why there are no Muslims on Star Trek Don’t you?
It’s the Future SIlly!
There are no Muslims in the Future….
Report Post »a true texan
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:30amDry run or not they only need to instill panic!
Report Post »DMSNC
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:29amDefinitely dry runs – they‘ve not had a hit in a while so guess they think it’s time. What better way then to pound on the cockpit door, try to open a door in flight, etc. Keep your EYES and EARS open – Eric Holder’s buddies coming for you!
Report Post »CarolinaGirl
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:29amNo more political correctness. Get these mus lims out of our beloved country. All any of them want is to take over the world, especially the USA. They never stand up and speak out against the radicals of their faith. Silence implies consent. OUT! NOW!
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:26amWhen obamohamed hi-jacked the White House,
Report Post »he began issuing “RELIGIOUS” VISAS to people from TERRORIST-sponsoring nations…….wo any time restraints to be in The USA.
the_ancient
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:25amI am soooooooo Glad everyone loves those Porno Scanners and loves getting grooped by the Gestapo aka TSA.
They sure are on top of that Security
Report Post »Broadsided
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:23amI am glad the TSA checked, scanned and probed etc. etc. It sure makes me feel safe enough to fly again.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:01amYeah…obviously the TSA forgot to scan for a “brain”!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:22amDry runs, indeed. We watched them for years between C.A. and the USA. It was incredible some of the things we saw going on ~~~ and reported to the stewards on board. SCARY. One run was a man so changing his appearance that three of us noticed it at the same time…. Who you see get ONTO the plane is NOT who you see deplaning. Now, that’s a surprise.
ericholdemup needs to be excused from work and find another job…..preferably in a deep dark hole somewhere in the middle east, or chicago, whichever comes first.
Report Post »GardenoftheGods
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:43amI agree! Eric Holder needs to be fired & then prosecuted for every crime that they can find for him to face. He’s a disgrace to our justice system. I’d like to see him in prison for a very long time; and a fair person who follows AMERICAN law. He’s flubbed & ignored way too many of our laws. Time to go Eric, time to go…
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:21amMuslim dry-runs.
Report Post »smak
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:20am@Yemen passport
Report Post »Yemeni
psadie
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:12amAll of a sudden, things are happening everywhere concerning this country’s security. It makes me think of dry runs in the making. Our homeland security needs to come down on these people fast and quick. Mr. Holder, can you handle that or will the DOJ screw that up too?
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:24amI dont believe there are any more incidents, looks more like the news is trying to tie mutiple non-incidents (mistake by paranoid crews and passengers) to 1 possible real incident to sensationalize the story, which will fuel more non-incidents due to mass panic and they can then capitalize on them and create more at the same time. Kinda like the Guy talking on the call phone at walmart had the cops called on him for having a “gun” shortly after some high profile shootings
Report Post »txn4justice
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:28pmNo he is not a terrorist, he is not the terrorist we are looking for, move along now. Nothing to see here, keep your heads buried in the sand. Everything is just fine. Have some koolaid.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:12amAnyone want to guess the nationality of the other two $##t disturbers?
Report Post »Runesinger
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:09amIt looks like the first line of defense against terrorism is the Joe Average American public. We wrestled another down another one…
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:17amLets get real. Stop letting people from Muslim countries in this country unless the pay for an FBI backround check and have an American citizen or company sponsor them. My company and family are not flying until the TSA starts profiling.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:53amYes, we are the first line of defense – we have to be because it takes all of us to work together to keep our country safe. http://wp.me/pYLB7-Xe
Report Post »Loki
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:45amOur society keeps looking for a hero to save us from evil…
Report Post »we are those heroes… John and Jane Q Public, proud american citizen….
“Superman” may not like “truth, justice and the american way” but a majority of the population still live by those words.
TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:08amGood grief; the world is full of crazies.
Report Post »woodenbadger
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:08amWhat did these people think was going to happen to them if they acted up? DUH losing!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:08amI would have just walked up to him and told him that there was no pilot on board this flight. That he would have to wait until we landed.
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:10pmCome on everyone think, this is not a coincidence you don’t think they are testing out our security and how we handle situations like this? They want to know so they can plan for it. Three incidents within a week of OBL’s death. Something is afoot with our terrorist cells inside this country already and the messiah barak will do nothing to stop this.
Report Post »DREDGE
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:06amI’m sure he just made a mistake and thought it was the crapper!!!
Report Post »Attention2Detail
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:47amIf he had gotten it open, a lot of people would have s**t.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:59am@Attention2Detail:
Report Post »“If he had gotten it open, a lot of people would have s**t.”
_________________________-
Thank U, thank U…I needed a good belly laugh! Great comeback!
miles from nowhere
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:05amIf he wanted out they should have shoved him out at the door at high altitude without the parachute!
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:19amYou said it ! Watch that first step!!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:40pm“A Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Chicago diverted in St. Louis after a 34-year-old man from Illinois tried to open a plane door during the flight, officials said.
FBI and airport police questioned the passenger. No charges have been filed.”
Did I read that right ????????????
Report Post »No charges have been filed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are the 3 stooges in charge of security ?
Can anyone please explain this to me ?
Cemoto78
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:45pmRobert-CA,
Report Post »He was abused as a child, his mommy didn’t get him some candy once, and he was told he couldn’t get the toy in a happy meal. He will be getting some counseling, being paid for by the taxpayers cause he is on food stamps and welfare, but will once again be flying so he can be reunited with his half brothers and sisters. I don’t know about you, but I‘m tired of the hand holding attitudes and it’s time to start making people responsible for their actions. This guy needs to see what the inside of a prison looks like, after all were probably supporting him already what’s the difference.
heavyduty
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:05amAnd he is flying? WHY?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Report Post »Now this is Art
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:31ammuslims are evil. jesus preached about love, and tolerance. mohommed taught hate, was a murderer and a pedophile…who the hell follows someone like that? well someone like the dude in this story.
Report Post »indy1
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:56amI heard he was muttering, “Allah Akbar!”
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:01amYou know what really amazes me?
If you or I were to walk up and knock on the front door at the White House (OUR house), we’d be immediately arrested! Why, oh why do we allow immigration into this country to go so untethered? It amazes me!
People should NOT be allowed to come to this country unless they can show that they are bringing SOMETHING of value to our culture! AND, they should show proof that they have enough money to support themselves for at least a few years after their arrival! What are they doing up in Washington DC? What?
Report Post »AllAmericanG
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:05am@heavyduty. Don‘t worry the federal government is doing their best to make sure we’re all safe. Didn’t you know they have placed several 4 year olds on the no fly list…. phew, goodness only knows what they could have done! And TSA is all over those dangerous 6 year old girls that have been known to rush cockpits mid-flight. Don’t you feel better knowing that we are a tolerant people who would never do anything like behavior and personality profiling?
Saftey and common sense be damned! We don‘t want to hurt anyone’s feelings – well unless they are white Americans. Then it’s OK.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:43amI’ve always heard that if you pound a cockpit long enough that Yemen will come out.
Amica
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:52amHe‘s lucky he didn’t get beaten to death.
Report Post »nuttyvet
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:07amI’m a former wrestler and know Jui Jitsui… why can‘t this happen when I’m around???? I’ve always wanted to pull an arm bar till I heard the “snap”
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:24amThese are probably probes to check reaction and report. He should have been kicked off the flight in midair. He could have met mohammed in hell
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:48am“During the scuffle, Almurisi sustained some bruises”
How fortunate for him. He could have been killed by the passengers.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:06pmAnother Dry Run, who was he travel with that observed reaction time of the crew and take down.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:05pmWho let him out of the cargo hold? They should be fined!
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:18pmThe one way we could help ensure the safety of the general public when flying is to simply ban Muslims from flying. They are the problem. The solution is simple. Once you ban Muslims from flying it makes it even harder for them to come to America. Maybe once they grow up an act like adult humans they could have their privileges restored.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 5:13pm…..
Report Post »Can you say…
“another dry run”?
Maybe he wanted to test the passengers reaction.
Personally, I wish they would have pounded him to hamburger.
“Here’s your reaction, Achmed.”
MUDFLAPS
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 6:52pmCause we have to be as PC as possible. Cant let your grandmother on or your seven year old daughter without feeling them up but a nut from Yeman, you bet. Cant discriminate ya know.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 3:45pm..
Report Post »Okay, Janet, say it.
“The system worked.”
Ha, ha, ha, ha…….god bless the passengers who took him down.
Shoulda’ put a cap in his butt too.