According to court documents, an unexpected and bloody attack took place on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Virginia’s Dulles Airport on Monday, targeting a passenger who was asleep.
FBI reports state that a passenger named Everett Chad Nelson, seated in seat 35F, got up about two hours into the flight to use the restroom. Upon returning, he stood in front of another passenger sleeping in seat 12F and suddenly began punching the passenger repeatedly.
Both passengers were injured during the attack, with blood reportedly splattering onto the seat, window, and wall of the plane. According to FBI documents, the assaulted passenger woke up screaming, and other passengers nearby intervened to stop the assailant.
As a result of the attack, the victim sustained bruises around his eyes and cuts on his nose but did not retaliate against the attacker, even in self-defense. Another passenger at the scene reportedly pulled Nelson away and took him to the front of the plane, where he was kept under observation.
In a statement regarding the incident, United Airlines said, “Thanks to the quick intervention of our crew and other passengers, the assailant was subdued. The flight was safely completed, and medical and law enforcement personnel were present upon landing.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that United Airlines Flight 2247 landed safely at Dulles International Airport at 1:40 PM local time.
It was also stated that the assaulted passenger suffered various injuries to his face and head and was treated by medical teams. Nelson, who attended an initial court hearing on Tuesday, was temporarily detained by a judge and has yet to enter a plea.
The FAA noted that over 1,200 unruly passenger incidents occurred on airlines in 2024, marking an 80% decrease from the record highs of 2021, although unacceptable behaviors continue to persist.
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