A flight bound for Manchester, New Hampshire, was unexpectedly diverted to Buffalo, New York, after a man allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the airplane. The incident occurred on an American Eagle flight, a regional branch of American Airlines, and led to the arrest of a 25-year-old man from Oregon.
The man, identified as Neil McCarthy, was charged with indecent exposure upon landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, McCarthy was released after making an initial appearance in federal court in Buffalo.
American Airlines issued a statement expressing gratitude to their team members for their professionalism and to their customers for their understanding during the incident. The flight resumed its journey to Manchester shortly after the diversion.
McCarthy reportedly told officers that he was traveling from Portland, Oregon, to Manchester, with a layover in Chicago. He admitted to consuming several whiskey and colas before boarding the flight in Oregon, during his layover in Chicago, and again after boarding the connecting flight. According to the criminal complaint, McCarthy claimed he got up to use the restroom and was returning to his seat when the incident occurred, citing a medical urination problem.
An email seeking comment was sent to McCarthy’s federal public defender, but no response was received at the time of reporting.
In a related incident on the same day, a Delta flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was diverted to JFK Airport in New York after passengers were served spoiled food. The redeye flight, which took off from Detroit around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, landed in New York at 4 a.m. on Wednesday. A Delta spokesperson confirmed that a portion of the Main Cabin in-flight meal service was spoiled, leading to the diversion.
Upon landing, 14 of the plane’s 277 passengers were treated by medical personnel, along with ten crew members. None required hospitalization. Delta has stated that it will investigate the incident, emphasizing that this is not the level of service the airline is known for and apologizing to customers for the inconvenience and delay.
A similar incident occurred in May when 70 of the 290 passengers on board Condor airline Flight DE2315 fell ill while traveling from Mauritius to Frankfurt. The plane was halfway through its journey when many passengers began experiencing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The aircraft landed in Frankfurt, where it was met by emergency services. The cause of the sudden wave of illness was not confirmed, but the airline noted that the food onboard was prepared in Mauritius.
In another unrelated incident, a United Airlines flight from Newark to Los Angeles was diverted to Chicago due to a bomb threat. The details of this incident were not fully disclosed at the time of reporting.
Returning to the primary incident, McCarthy’s actions on the American Eagle flight have raised concerns about in-flight behavior and the consumption of alcohol before and during flights. The airline industry has strict regulations regarding passenger conduct, and incidents like this highlight the importance of adhering to these rules for the safety and comfort of all passengers.
American Airlines reiterated their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment on all their flights. They thanked their team members for handling the situation with professionalism and their customers for their patience and understanding.
McCarthy’s case will proceed in federal court, where he faces charges of indecent exposure. His release on recognizance indicates that he will remain free until his next court appearance, where further legal proceedings will determine the outcome of his case.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of disruptive behavior on flights and the importance of maintaining decorum while traveling. Airlines continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers, and incidents like this underscore the need for vigilance and adherence to regulations.
Source: Associated Press, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York
