4 passengers arrested after wild brawls on plane result in smashed window, emergency landing
Four passengers have been arrested following two alleged midair brawls that prompted an emergency landing during a flight in Australia.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Northern Territory Police confirmed charges were brought after an unnamed flight from Queensland to the Northern Territory on Thursday evening.
“The AFP was called to attend an incident on a flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt, which had caused the flight to be turned around, on Thursday, April 20,” an AFP spokesperson told news.com.au in a statement.
In a video of part of the incident, a group of rowdy passengers can be seen standing near the aisle where one of them allegedly raises a bottle above their head seemingly to strike another passenger.
When the first alleged incident broke out, it prompted the flight to turn back to Queensland, where a woman was charged.
“A female passenger was removed and charged with disorderly behavior on an aircraft, common assault and failing to comply with safety instructions by cabin crew,” the spokesperson said.
After the flight took off again, the same group of unruly passengers allegedly started arguing again, resulting in a fight and an internal window being smashed.
When the plane landed in Alyangula on Groote Eylandt, off the east coast of Northern Territory, three passengers were arrested by NT Police.
A man, 23, was charged with intentionally endangering the safety of others, aggravated assault, damage to property, disorderly behavior in a public place, and contravening a domestic violence order.
A woman, 23, was charged with property damage, disorderly behavior in a public place and intentionally endangering the safety of others.
Another passenger, 22, was charged with commercial drug supply, drug possession, hindering a member of the police, disorderly behavior and possessing liquor in a restricted area.
The three passengers were expected to face the Darwin Local Court on Monday.
