A crazed, shadow-boxing United Airlines passenger wildly claimed he was in a “simulation” as he allegedly assaulted the crew, punched a flight attendant in the face and forced the plane to divert mid-flight.
Jordan Langston, 25, wreaked havoc on the Salt Lake City-bound flight Sunday when he got up from his seat shortly after departing Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, and stormed the front of the plane, waving his arms and screaming, “This is a simulation,” the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
When pressed by a flight attendant what he meant when he said simulation, the unruly traveler repeatedly yelled, “This flight,” before rushing to the back of the plane and continuing to frantically wave his hands.
Langston then stepped on a crew member’s foot and allegedly shoved another after being warned the plane would turn back if his erratic behavior didn’t stop, FBI Special Agent Patrick Manion told the outlet.
The captain reportedly declared a Level 2 security threat and continued to the Utah travel hub as the disturbed suspect eventually returned to his seat and settled down.
But mayhem erupted about 30 minutes later when Langston rose from his seat and chaotically flailed about before shadow boxing in the aisle and allegedly slugging a crew member in the face, Manion said.
Four passengers grabbed Langston and dragged him to the back of the plane, where he was restrained, placed in handcuffs, and bizarrely ranted about death, according to court documents, per the outlet.
The flight diverted to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, where Langston was escorted off the plane and detained at Douglas County jail. The flight then continued on to Salt Lake City International Airport.
Langston was charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, the outlet reported.
He was ordered to remain behind bars pending trial, with a judge citing substance abuse and potential mental health issues.
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