BILLINGS - A Northwest Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Boise, Idaho, made
an unscheduled landing here Tuesday after an apparently intoxicated passenger
became unruly and assaulted others on board, a federal aviation official said.
John Kinney, acting federal security director in Billings, said Flight 1279
landed at Billings Logan International Airport shortly after 1 p.m., and that a
female passenger was removed and taken into custody. He said the flight was on
the ground for nearly 11/2 hours before resuming.
Yellowstone County authorities identified the woman as Judith McKenith, 55, of
Bergenfield, N.J. She was not immediately charged.
Kinney said the plane was over Montana when the passenger became "physically
engaging" with others on board. He said one passenger asked her to settle down
and the woman struck that person in the face.
He said the woman lashed out at about a half dozen others, including a flight
crew member - kicking, biting and slapping them - before finally being subdued
by passengers. Kinney said the woman also was combative with local police who
took her into custody.
Billings Police Chief Ron Tussing said police helped remove the passenger but
that the matter would be handled by federal officials.
Dan Vierthaler, supervisor for eastern Montana with the FBI, said his agency
responded, but that he could not comment at length. He said he was unsure what
charges, if any, may be filed.
The U.S. attorney in Billings did not immediately return a phone call seeking
comment Tuesday.
Kinney said no one on board required medical attention.
Copyright © 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises
an unscheduled landing here Tuesday after an apparently intoxicated passenger
became unruly and assaulted others on board, a federal aviation official said.
John Kinney, acting federal security director in Billings, said Flight 1279
landed at Billings Logan International Airport shortly after 1 p.m., and that a
female passenger was removed and taken into custody. He said the flight was on
the ground for nearly 11/2 hours before resuming.
Yellowstone County authorities identified the woman as Judith McKenith, 55, of
Bergenfield, N.J. She was not immediately charged.
Kinney said the plane was over Montana when the passenger became "physically
engaging" with others on board. He said one passenger asked her to settle down
and the woman struck that person in the face.
He said the woman lashed out at about a half dozen others, including a flight
crew member - kicking, biting and slapping them - before finally being subdued
by passengers. Kinney said the woman also was combative with local police who
took her into custody.
Billings Police Chief Ron Tussing said police helped remove the passenger but
that the matter would be handled by federal officials.
Dan Vierthaler, supervisor for eastern Montana with the FBI, said his agency
responded, but that he could not comment at length. He said he was unsure what
charges, if any, may be filed.
The U.S. attorney in Billings did not immediately return a phone call seeking
comment Tuesday.
Kinney said no one on board required medical attention.
Copyright © 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises
