American Airlines passenger arrested after he tries to open door mid-air, asks flight attendant for sex

The arrested person was identified as 26-year-old  Eric Nicholas Gapco from New Jersey.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah said in a statement: "According to court documents, Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, of Delanco, New Jersey, a passenger onboard American Airlines flight #2101, assaulted and intimidated a flight attendant and aircraft crew members on July 18, 2024. "

His unruly behaviour forced the airline's authority to make an emergency landing.

"As alleged in the complaint and detention memo, Gapco failed to follow instructions to remain in his seat, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, was repeatedly loud, vaped, bothered other passengers, locked himself in the lavatory, and attempted to open the aircraft exterior doors multiple times while the aircraft was in flight," read the statement issued by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

"As a result, Gapco was restrained by flight crew members and other passengers with flexible restraints to his feet and hands during the flight," the statement said.

Upon landing, he was arrested by law enforcement at Salt Lake City International Airport.

" Gapco is charged with interference with a flight crew, and attempted damage to an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States," the statement said.

The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Salt Lake City Police Department.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.