RAF jets scrambled after woman tried to enter plane cockpit
03.03.10
RAF jets were scrambled yesterday to investigate after a disruptive woman passenger on a transatlantic flight from the US tried to force her way into the cockpit, the Times reports.
Police boarded the American Airlines Boeing 767-300 to arrest the woman after Flight 78 from Fort Worth, Dallas, landed normally at Heathrow, shortly before 11:00.
It reported that the passenger, who had recently suffered a family bereavement, became more and more agitated during the flight and showed the symptoms of a panic attack. She is alleged to have repeatedly tried to break into the cockpit. The pilot was sufficiently alarmed to ask for a priority approach to the runaway that triggered the RAF action.
Jets from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, were called to assist the aircraft as a 'matter of routine'. A Ministry of Defence spokesman insisted that the jets broke off over Oxfordshire and did not escort the aircraft into Heathrow as stated in earlier reports. Cabin crew were able to calm the passenger before the plane, with 161 passengers and 12 crew, landing normally at 10:50.
Police boarded the plane on the runway and arrested the passenger on suspicion of endangering an aircraft. She was taken to the Heathrow police station, where she remained in custody. A spokesman for American Airlines said that their pilot had not requested the RAF action. It is not clear whether he was even made aware of the Typhoons' approach.
The spokesman said: 'American Airlines flight 78 from Fort Worth, Dallas, to Heathrow was met on arrival by police following reports of a disruptive passenger on board the aircraft. A female passenger had become distressed in the course of the flight and attempted to gain entry to the flight deck. The passenger was calmed by flight crew but as a precaution a priority approach to Heathrow was requested and police were requested to meet the plane on arrival.'
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