Mid-Flight Emergency Chaos
Passenger Arrested After Mid-Flight Emergency Exit Attempt and Attendant Assault
A 51-year-old man, Juan Gabriel Reyes, was arrested after a chaotic disturbance on a Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago, in which he allegedly tried to open emergency exit doors and reach the cockpit while ignoring crew orders. Authorities say Reyes also urinated on the bathroom floor and then choked an off-duty flight attendant seated next to him, prompting multiple passengers and crew members to restrain him during the flight. The FAA and Frontier reported the plane made an emergency diversion to Miami International Airport, where Reyes was taken into custody and the flight later continued to Chicago without further incident. Social media videos captured the restraint, including a fellow passenger wearing jiu-jitsu-themed clothing who helped hold Reyes. Reyes has been charged with battery, and the FBI is assisting with the investigation, with officials indicating he could face additional federal charges.
Key Points
According to the arrest affidavit, Reyes was described as “shoving his shoulder aggressively on the pilot’s door” after he tried to approach the cockpit, prompting crew to usher him away from the cockpit area.
A fellow passenger identified in one report as Josh Longwood said he “instantly jumped in, safely put him against the wall and restrained him,” adding, “So I am thankful that I was sitting right in front of him.”
The FAA described the event as a “passenger disturbance,” saying Frontier Flight 3345 departed San Juan for Chicago when crew reported the disturbance; the flight was then diverted to Miami and landed just before noon without further incident.
One report specifies the charging posture as a “misdemeanor count of battery,” and notes that “Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger,” after which the flight continued to Chicago a few hours later.
The arrest affidavit also says Reyes ignored crew orders to sit down and “walked towards the front of the aircraft and attempted to make entry into the pilot’s quarters,” while crew stated he had tried to open the aircraft exit doors “when it was still in flight.”
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