FAA says it has sent 250 cases of unruly passengers to FBI

Federal officers stated Thursday they’ve referred greater than 250 airline passengers to the FBI for doable prison prosecution for alleged unruly habits since late 2021, together with one as not too long ago as final month, when a person tried to stab a flight attendant with a broken-off spoon.

The tempo of the prison referrals is slowing, nonetheless. The Federal Aviation Administration recognized 17 instances it has despatched to the FBI within the first three months of this 12 months — largely for incidents that occurred final 12 months however took time to analyze.

Airways have reported fewer instances of unruly passengers since April 2022, when a federal decide struck down a requirement that individuals put on masks on planes and public transportation. Earlier than that ruling, about two-thirds of all incidents on planes concerned disputes over masks.

The FAA can levy civil fines however lacks authority to file prison expenses, so it refers essentially the most severe instances to the FBI.

“In the event you act out on a airplane, it is best to simply keep at dwelling as a result of we’ll come after you with severe penalties,” performing FAA Administrator Billy Nolen stated in an announcement. “We have now zero tolerance for unruly habits.”

The FBI didn’t say how usually it acts on the FAA referrals. Assistant Director Luis Quesada stated the bureau is “dedicated to investigating all incidents that fall inside FBI jurisdiction aboard business flights” however didn’t present numbers.

The FAA announcement got here as lawmakers push laws to create a brand new no-fly listing for folks convicted or fined for interfering with flight crews. An identical proposal backed by airline unions failed to realize floor final 12 months within the face of opposition from conservatives and civil libertarians. The present FBI no-fly listing is aimed toward folks suspected of terrorism ties.

The 17 instances that the FAA has referred this 12 months embrace allegations of assaults towards flight attendants and fellow passengers, makes an attempt to open airplane exits throughout flights, and attempting to interrupt into the cockpit.

In the newest case, passengers helped subdue a person who, prosecutors say, tried to open an emergency door and tried to stab a flight attendant with a damaged steel spoon throughout a flight from Los Angeles to Boston.