An unruly airline passenger is facing charges after investigators say he engaged in disruptive, life-threatening behavior while on an American Airlines flight.Twenty-six-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco forced a Dallas-bound flight to land in Salt Lake City, Utah, because of his “violent” and dangerous behavior, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.The flight crew and passengers had to restrain Gapco’s hands and feet with flexible restraints until the flight from Seattle landed in Salt Lake City on July 18, documents stated.
According to prosecutors, Gapco, 26, of Delanco, New Jersey, was arrested when the flight landed.
Gapco continued “to engage in violent and erratic behavior” at the Salt Lake City International Airport, where he smashed the glass door of a holding cell, court documents say.Gapco allegedly refused to stay seated, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, vaped on the aircraft, and even attempted to open the plane’s exterior door multiple times on the flight, authorities said.
In addition to allegedly being loud and bothersome to other passengers, authorities say Gapco locked himself in the bathroom before he was restrained by the flight crew.
Gapco was arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
