Officials say a flight to Manchester, New Hampshire was diverted to Buffalo, New York, after a man allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the airplane
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A flight to Manchester, New Hampshire, was diverted Wednesday after a man allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the airplane, officials said.
The 25-year-old Oregon man was arrested and charged with indecent exposure after the flight landed at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. He was released after making an initial appearance in federal court in Buffalo, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The American Eagle flight departed from Buffalo shortly after the incident, according to an emailed statement from American Airlines. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” read the statement.
The man told officers he was flying from Portland, Oregon, to Manchester and had several whiskey and colas before boarding the flight, and then more of them during a layover in Chicago and after boarding there. He said he got up to use the restroom and was coming back to his seat, but he has a medical urination problem, according to the criminal complaint.
An email seeking comment was sent to his federal public defender.
Federal officials reported that a flight bound for New Hampshire was diverted on Tuesday after a man allegedly exposed himself to fellow passengers and crew members.
The incident occurred on a United Airlines flight from Washington, D.C. to Manchester, New Hampshire. According to reports, the man began acting erratically shortly after takeoff, causing concern among passengers and crew members. Witnesses say that he then proceeded to expose himself, prompting the flight crew to take action.
In response to the situation, the pilot made the decision to divert the flight to Boston’s Logan International Airport, where law enforcement officials were waiting to apprehend the man. He was subsequently removed from the aircraft and taken into custody for questioning.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining appropriate behavior while traveling. Exposing oneself in a public setting is not only illegal but also disruptive and offensive to those around you. It can also result in serious consequences, including criminal charges and potential bans from airlines.
In a statement following the incident, United Airlines expressed their gratitude to the crew for their quick response and handling of the situation. They also reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers on board their flights.
Passengers on the diverted flight were eventually able to continue on to their original destination in New Hampshire. However, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential disruptions that can occur during air travel and the importance of remaining vigilant and respectful of others while flying.
