FBI affidavit alleges a passenger grabbed an attendant’s shoulder, used racial slurs and made threats, prompting a cockpit lockdown and diversion to Anchorage
ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A man was arrested Saturday after authorities say he intimidated flight attendants and sparked a midair disturbance that led a Delta Air Lines flight from Seattle to Taiwan to divert and make an Malcom Martin is charged by criminal complaint with interfering with flight crew members and attendants, a federal offense that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, according to an affidavit filed in U.
S. District Court for Alaska. At 7:25 p.m. Saturday, March 14, the Anchorage FBI office was notified of a disturbance on Delta Flight 69, according to an affidavit written by an Anchorage FBI agent. The flight was over the Pacific Ocean on its way from Seattle to Taiwan when the disruption began, the agent wrote. The crew reported the situation escalated quickly enough that the cockpit door was locked and the pilots coordinated with Delta’s corporate office before deciding to divert to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. According to the affidavit, Anchorage Airport Police and Fire officers detained Martin on the aircraft after it arrived at the gate. Investigators say the confrontation began near a galley restroom when a flight attendant was eating a meal and Martin grabbed the attendant’s shoulder to get his attention and asked whether the bathroom was occupied. The flight attendant told investigators that when the restroom’s lock indicator is displayed, it means the restroom is in use. Martin, according to the documents, made several disrespectful comments at this point.The attendant told investigators Martin used a racial slur and threatened to fight him when the plane landed. Another flight attendant told investigators the dispute became so intense that passengers moved toward the galley to try to de-escalate the conflict. The second attendant also reported retrieving restraints and stepping between Martin and the first attendant, repeatedly telling Martin to return to his seat, the affidavit said. Authorities say Martin swung toward the second flight attendant but did not make contact. No one was struck or touched during the altercation, the affidavit said. Two of the pilots told investigators the disturbance was elevated to a “level three,” which required locking the cockpit. The diversion also required calculating landing procedures for an overweight aircraft carrying fuel intended for the original route, the affidavit said. Police collected several passenger videos of the disturbance. In a brief review, the FBI agent wrote he could see Martin at the galley entrance exchanging heated words, but he did not observe a lunge or swing in the portions he reviewed. Martin was taken to an airport police interview room and later advised of his rights by the FBI, the affidavit said. After an interview, Martin was arrested on the federal charge and booked into the Anchorage Correctional Complex, the affidavit said.2026 Iditarod Live BlogThe ballots are in the mail for the Anchorage’s municipal election April 7
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