Millions of people use commercial airlines each year for their long-distance travel needs. However, plane passengers know that almost anything could happen while either on the aircraft or waiting to board. Recently, an American Airlines passenger tried to open the plane’s door while it was flying. Now, he could be facing some serious time for the offense. 

He endangered the safety of several other plane passengers

According to Fox 4 News, Abdul-al-Jabbar Oloruntoba Olaiya, 29, was on an American Airlines flight going from Milwaukee to Dallas. However, things took a turn for the plane passengers when he got into an altercation with a flight attendant. Apparently, he said he was “captain of this flight” and tried to open the door to the airplane as he “needed” to get off. While doing so, he hit and injured the flight attendant. 

Of course, the other plane passengers saw the encounter. Luckily, some of them intervened and restrained the man with the use of tape around his hands and feet. They were able to restrain him for the last 30 minutes of the plane ride. One of the men who helped calm the passenger, Charlie Boris, said, “It was kind of a fight or flight situation. And everyone just really helped and put together effort, and we all get to go to Thanksgiving.”

Of course, in the end, the other plane passengers went on about their business, but the FBI did a mental health evaluation on Abdul-al-Jabbar Oloruntoba Olaiya. He was “officially arrested” on November 26th and has made an appearance in court. He is being charged with interfering with a flight crew by assault or intimidation and faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted. Chances are he won’t be able to travel by plane for quite some time.