American Airlines Passenger Restrained with Duct Tape After Assaulting Flight Attendant
Prachi is a London-based journalist with extensive experience in the aviation industry. She has worked for several leading industry publications, covering a broad range of topics. Her expertise lies in aircraft maintenance, emerging technologies, and advanced air mobility. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Journalism, focusing on data journalism and its potential to transform conventional aviation reporting.
On September 16, an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Las Vegas turned chaotic when a passenger allegedly became violent midair. The woman, identified as 47-year-old Ketty Dilone, reportedly threatened crew members and had to be restrained with flex cuffs and duct tape after her behavior escalated.
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Law enforcement met the aircraft upon landing in Las Vegas, and Dilone is now facing federal charges. The recent incident adds to the ongoing problem of unruly passengers. Such cases peaked in 2021 at nearly 6,000 reports. While numbers have since declined, they remain high, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has logged more than 1,000 incidents so far this year.
The Passenger Threatened The Crew & Had To Be Restrained Mid-Flight
The incident occurred on American Airlines flight AA2470, a regular service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). According to the FBI’s probable cause affidavit, about halfway through the flight, Dilone left her seat and began walking down the aisle while yelling and recording passengers on her phone.
When asked to stop filming, she became enraged and threatened multiple crew members, reportedly shouting, “I will kill you b***h!” She also acted aggressively toward flight attendants who were trying to calm her down. As her behavior continued, the cabin crew restrained Dilone in her seat using flex cuffs and a seat belt, the affidavit states.
To stop her from slipping out of the restraints, a flight attendant (the victim) taped her torso to the seat with duct tape. Even then, Dilone managed to kick the crew member twice, once in the calf and then behind the knees, causing them to fall forward.
The Crew Had To Monitor The Unruly Passenger Instead Of Preparing The Aircraft
Apparently, because of the disruption, flight attendants had to rearrange passengers seated nearby. They moved several travelers away and placed ‘volunteer passengers’ next to Dilone. In addition, according to the affidavit, crew members had to stand by her seat during the aircraft’s descent, which meant they could not complete standard landing preparations.
The flight landed on time at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where law enforcement met the aircraft. Officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took Dilone into custody. The FBI, which has jurisdiction over crimes committed aboard US aircraft, later booked her on federal charges of interference with a flight crew and assault by striking, beating, or wounding. She was then transported to the Henderson Detention Center in Henderson, Nevada, according to The Independent.
Unruly Passenger Prompts Atlanta-Bound Delta Air Lines Flight To Divert To Dublin
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Dilone now faces a felony charge of interference with a flight crew, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years, along with a misdemeanor assault charge that could add another year. Court records show she had previously been arrested on felony domestic violence charges, though she ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was ordered to complete counseling.
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The FAA Has Reported Over 1,000 Unruly Passenger Incidents So Far This Year
Unruly passenger cases remain a persistent challenge for airlines worldwide. According to the International Air Transport Association ( IATA), thousands of incidents are reported each year, with some escalating into serious threats or physical violence. The issue has become more pronounced since the pandemic. In fact, in 2021, the FAA investigated 5,973 incidents in the United States. The rate has since declined by more than 80% from that peak, but concerns remain.
As of mid-September this year, the agency has investigated 1,154 cases. Penalties for disruptive passengers can be significant. Offenders face large fines, prison sentences, and potential bans from future flights. In some cases, passengers may also be held financially responsible for costs linked to diversions or damages.
The FAA has strengthened its enforcement powers under the latest reauthorization bill. The agency can now propose fines of up to $37,000 per violation, and a single incident may result in multiple violations. Additionally, airlines themselves have also begun taking tougher action. Unruly passengers can also force costly diversions, as unscheduled landings sometimes run into millions of dollars in expenses for airlines. To deter such behavior, several carriers have introduced heavy fines.
