Off-Duty Pilot Restrains Irish Man As Plane Diverts

An Irish passenger on Delta transatlantic flight did his part to perpetuate stereotypes last week, as he flew home from visiting friends in California.

Britain's Press Association and the Associated Press cite court documents and FBI statements alleging 44-year-old Aiden Mackle of Portadown, Northern Ireland, was swearing loudly while boarding Delta Flight 176 in Atlanta on February 29, and was asked to quiet down.

Once the plane was airborne, he reportedly drank several small bottles of wine on the plane, smoked a cigarette in the lav, and became verbally abusive when confronted about the smoking violation.

Mackle is then alleged to have told a flight attendant he was associated with Osama bin Laden, and was going to hijack the plane.

When warned by an off-duty pilot his actions might require the pilot to make an emergency landing, Mackle reportedly replied "OK, I'm a terrorist. Go ahead and land the plane." He then punched the off-duty pilot.

The crew reportedly pinned the man and restrained him while the Atlanta-to-Dublin flight landed at Bangor, ME. There, the FBI was waiting for Mr. Mackle.

He's been charged with intimidation and assault, and is being held pending a hearing on the charges.

The remaining 184 passengers continued on their way after a reported delay of about two hours at Bangor.

FMI: www.delta.com