One Caused An AA Jet To Divert To Anchorage

It's unlikely that anything about Alaska had anything to do with it, but two incidents involving unruly passengers were reported Monday with ties to the 49th state.

In one, a passenger on a commuter flight tried to grab the controls of the airplane during landing in Emmonak. Derek Atchak was the only passenger on board a flight from Nunam Iqua, and authorities say he attempted to grab the airplanes controls on final approach.

The Juneau Empire reports that the pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and land safely, and Atchak ran from the airport after landing. He was later arrested at a home in Nunam Iqua and charged with reckless endangerment.

Meanwhile, an American Airlines flight from LA to Tokyo was diverted to Anchorage over the weekend, when a passenger became unruly and threatened to harm the pilot.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that John James Leih, a British citizen, had consumed as many as seven drinks both before and during the flight, and the flight crew denied him service when his speech became slurred. According to the FBI, Leigh began yelling and cursing, and advanced on the pilot with his right hand raised threatening to "kick his behind", so to speak.

The pilot reportedly grabbed Leigh and spun him around. Two passengers held him while he was cuffed by one of the flight crew.  However, he continued to struggle, kicking a flight attendant in the groin and shoulder, according to the FBI.

The flight diverted to Anchorage International Airport, where it landed just before 1700. Leigh was arrested on a charge of interfering with a flight crew.

FMI: www.fbi.gov