Man Tries To Charge Cockpit Of JetBlue Flight From Boston: FBI

BOSTON — A flight from Boston to Puerto Rico left passengers with quite an uneasy interruption after a man tried to storm the cockpit Wednesday night.

Khalil El Dahr was arrested after an FBI affidavit obtained by Patch says he interfered with flight crew members and passengers.

The FBI affidavit says El Dahr was aboard JetBlue flight 261 from Logan International Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico when he became agitated after attempting to make an unsuccessful phone call in the last hour of the flight.

As the flight was 45 minutes from approaching San Juan, the affidavit says El Dahr got himself out of his seat, rushing towards the front of the plane, "yelling to be shot."

Seeing the events unfold, one flight attendant pushed El Dahr into a side space after the first row of seats.

While he was yelling, El Dahr then grabbed the flight attendant by their collar and tie which "resulted in the tie tightening and ultimately prevented the JetBlue flight attendant from breathing," the affidavit said.

The flight attendant was eventually able to break free and still prevent El Dahr from getting into the cockpit, but a struggle ensued, and it took 6 or 7 crew members to restrain El Dahr.

According to the affidavit, the crew was able to restrain El Dahr by using makeshift restraints with seatbelt extenders and neckties.

He remained restrained until the flight landed, where a large group of law enforcement met the plane.

According to the affidavit, the FBI said El Dahr should face a felony charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants.

No serious injuries were reported.