Flight diverted to Denver after passenger allegedly assaults attendant

DENVER — An American Airlines cross-country flight from New York to California was diverted to Denver on Wednesday after a passenger allegedly assaulted a female attendant, officials said.

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Flight 976 took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport and was headed to John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, KDVR reported. Because of the alleged assault, the aircraft was diverted to Denver International Airport, the television station reported.

The passenger was removed from the aircraft after it taxied to the gate, and the flight resumed to California, according to KUSA.

A representative for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants union told KCBS on Thursday that the flight attendant was treated at a Denver hospital for broken bones to her face.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker posted a video statement on Instagram and said the airline is supporting the injured flight attendant and banning the man accused of assaulting her from flying on American again.

“Last night, @AmericanAir had one of the worst displays we’ve seen, when a passenger violently assaulted one of our flight attendants,” Parker said. “Thankfully, our flight attendant is recovering and we are making sure she and her fellow crew members have the support they need. The passenger, however, will never be allowed to fly American again and we are doing everything we can to ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”

Mackenzie Rose, another passenger on the flight, told KCBS that the flight attendant was assaulted about halfway through the trip, when the plane was over Ohio.

“I understand that he actually punched her twice,” Rose told the television after the aircraft landed in California. “I did see her walk back down the aisle afterwards. She had blood splattered on the outside of her mask.

“If you’re not prepared to wear a mask, you’re not prepared to fly is kind of the moral of the story. ... In terms of men hitting women, it’s absolutely absurd and ridiculous.”

The FBI told KDVR that no arrests had been made yet, but added that the investigation was ongoing. The agency had no additional comment, the television station reported.

“The United States Attorney’s Office takes seriously all matters involving potential threats to the safety of airline flights, crew or passengers,” the office said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration also said it would investigate the incident.

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