ARIZONA NEWS

FAA proposes $19,000 fine for unruly passenger on Phoenix flight

Jun 22, 2021, 4:00 PM | Updated: Jun 23, 2021, 9:11 am

Two passengers wearing face coverings wait for a flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport...

Two passengers wearing face coverings wait for a flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX – A passenger on a flight out of Phoenix is among eight fliers facing thousands of dollars in fines over unruly behavior while traveling earlier this year, authorities said Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $19,000 civil penalty for a passenger on a Jan. 20 SkyWest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Hermosillo, Mexico, who allegedly became angry after learning the plane had to return to Sky Harbor Airport because of bad weather south of the border.

The individual, whose name was not provided, allegedly hit the plane’s ceiling and intimidated flight attendants, who felt compelled to recruit several passengers to be ready to subdue the person if it became necessary, the FAA said in a press release.

The person also allegedly hit a neighboring passenger’s shoulder while standing up to exit before law enforcement escorted him off the plane.

The eight fines announced by the FAA on Tuesday ranged from $9,000 to $22,000 and totaled $124,500 for incidents in January and February.

The subjects are accused of a variety of violations, including assaulting flight crew, drinking alcohol carried aboard and refusing to wear face masks.

The FAA said it has now proposed $563,800 in fines against passengers since adopting a zero-tolerance policy for dangerous behavior on Jan. 1.

The agency said it has received 3,100 reports of airline passengers causing disturbances in that time, including 2,350 incidents of individuals refusing to comply with federal face mask mandates.

Face coverings are still required aboard public transportation, including planes, buses and trains, as well as inside airports and stations.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A mobile home caught fire near 27th Avenue and Deer Valley Road in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 4, 2023....

KTAR.com

Neighbor rescues man from burning mobile home in Phoenix

A good Samaritan neighbor rescued a man from a burning mobile home in Phoenix on Friday morning, authorities said.

59 minutes ago

...

Heidi Hommel

Arizona trade apprenticeship program expanding with $15M TSMC investment

Arizona Pipe Trades has plans to expand its Joint Apprenticeship Training Center after receiving a $15 million investment from TSMC.

2 hours ago

Kesha Hodge Washington, Kate Gallego, Joan Serviss and Connor Larr...

Damon Allred

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego breaks ground on affordable housing project

Phoenix officials, including Mayor Kate Gallego, broke ground on an affordable housing project in South Phoenix on Thursday.

4 hours ago

HonorHealth Paradise Valley location opens...

Balin Overstolz McNair

Valley-based health care provider uses tech to boost quality of care

Valley-based health-care provider HonorHealth is using technology to lighten the burden on staff at one hospital.

4 hours ago

Actor Joe Mantegna poses with Debbie Medina Gach of Gilbert-based tequila brand Señor Rio....

Ray Schey/Phoenix Business Journal

Señor Rio tequila sees brand awareness bump after investment by actor Joe Mantegna

The Gilbert-based Señor Rio tequila brand is getting a boost from its partnership deal with actor Joe Mantegna.

5 hours ago

Gilbert...

KTAR.com

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Dec. 1-3

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news over the weekend, including weather impacts across the state and more.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

The best ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day and give back to the community

Veterans Day is fast approaching and there's no better way to support our veterans than to donate to the Military Assistance Mission.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

FAA proposes $19,000 fine for unruly passenger on Phoenix flight