American Airlines passenger who was duct taped to seat, gagged after trying to open cabin door mid-flight sued
On what grounds is the FAA suing Heather Wells, and what are they seeking through this lawsuit?
The FAA is suing Heather Wells for her behavior during an American Airlines flight on July 6, 2021. Wells created a chaotic scene, attempting to open the front cabin door mid-flight and forcing flight attendants to duct tape her to a seat1. She bit, kicked, and spat at staff and fellow passengers. The FAA seeks to collect $81,950 in civil penalties from Wells through this lawsuit. The grounds for the lawsuit include violating federal aviation rules by trying to access the flight cabin, interfering with and threatening the flight crew, and posing an imminent threat to passengers and staff1.
What were the consequences imposed by the FAA on Heather Wells following her disruptive behavior on American Airlines Flight 1774?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed an $81,950 fine on Heather Wells following her disruptive behavior on American Airlines Flight 1774. The fine was for violating federal aviation rules, which included attempting to access the flight cabin, interfering with and threatening the flight crew, and posing a threat to passengers and staff. The FAA took legal action against Wells, filing a lawsuit in San Antonio to collect the money1. This case serves as a warning to other passengers about the consequences of disruptive and dangerous behavior on flights and emphasizes the importance of following aviation regulations and respecting the authority of flight crew members.
What specific actions did Heather Wells take during the flight from Dallas to Charlotte that led to her being restrained by flight attendants?
During the flight from Dallas to Charlotte, Heather Wells engaged in several disruptive and dangerous actions that led to her being restrained by flight attendants. These actions included:
- Attempting to open the front cabin door mid-flight: Wells ran to the front of the plane and grabbed the handle of the front cabin door, posing a significant safety risk to the flight.
- Incoherent speech and aggressive behavior: Wells began talking incoherently with passengers and was crawling back toward the main cabin. She also threatened an intervening flight attendant.
- Repeated attempts to access the front door: Despite being stopped by flight attendants, Wells tried to reach the front door again while yelling profanities.
- Physical violence towards the crew: Before being restrained, Wells managed to strike a flight attendant in the head several times.
- Continued aggressive behavior while restrained: Even after being duct-taped and flex-cuffed to a seat, Wells continued to kick, spit, and attempt to bite and head-butt a flight attendant and passengers.
These actions by Heather Wells necessitated her being restrained by flight attendants to ensure the safety of the passengers and the crew onboard the American Airlines Boeing 737 flight.