‘Unruly passenger’ charged after allegedly trying to open airplane doors mid-flight, assaulting flight crew
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A New Jersey man who allegedly caused a flight to be diverted to Salt Lake City because of his “alleged unruly behavior” is being charged after the incident, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, from Delanco, New Jersey, is facing one count of interference with a flight crew and one count of attempted damage to an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, the attorney’s office said.
The attorney’s office said Gapco engaged in “disruptive and life-threatening behavior” and called him an “alleged unruly passenger.”
Gapco was onboard an American Airlines flight that departed from Seattle, Washington, on July 18, 2024, according to the attorney’s office. The flight was en route to Dallas, Texas, but was diverted to Salt Lake City after the alleged incidents on the flight.
“Gapco failed to follow instructions to remain in his seat, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, was repeatedly loud, vaped, bothered other passengers, locked himself in the lavatory, and attempted to open the aircraft exterior doors multiple times while the aircraft was in flight,” the attorney’s office said.
Gapco also allegedly “assaulted and intimidated” crew members and a flight attendant while on the flight. Crew members restrained Gapco during the flight, and he was arrested after the flight landed at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Gapco is scheduled to be in court on Aug. 1 for his initial appearance on the indictment.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Salt Lake City Police Department are investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case, and U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah announced Gapco’s indictment Wednesday.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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