Unruly Aircraft Passenger Faces Federal Charges After Attempting to Open Emergency Exit Mid-Flight
(LOS ANGELES) – A disturbance aboard a commercial flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Wednesday escalated into a federal investigation after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door at 35,000 feet. According to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. Pacific Time on a Boeing 737-800 operated by a major U.S. carrier. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Marcus DeAngelo of Phoenix, Arizona, was taken into custody upon landing. Witnesses reported that DeAngelo shouted incoherent statements before lunging toward the over-wing exit, prompting flight attendants and two off-duty law enforcement officers to restrain him. The crew deployed flex cuffs and secured the passenger in a rear galley for the remainder of the flight. No injuries were reported among the 152 passengers and six crew members. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the event is part of a broader trend of disruptive behavior, with 1,995 reports of unruly aircraft passenger incidents filed this year alone. DeAngelo now faces federal charges including interference with flight crew members, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.