Passengers arrive for flights on Frontier Airlines at O’Hare International Airport on February 07, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images/Getty Images
A Frontier Airlines flight from Denver to Houston was forced into an unsettling situation when a man on board began attacking a plane window and seats, causing chaos among passengers.
The flight, F9 4856, had been airborne for about 20 to 30 minutes when the incident occurred. The incident began when a woman politely requested the man seated behind her to exchange seats.
In response, the man became furious, kicking her seat and trying to break the window.
“I started having a panic attack,” passenger Victoria Clark said. She feared it might be a terrorist attack, ABC News said.
As the man continued to hit the window, he eventually shattered the Plexiglas, which separated passengers from the sealed window.
Without an air marshal on board, the flight attendants asked if there was any law enforcement present to help. Tanner Phillips, a former military member, stepped up.
“This guy was just going crazy,” Phillips said. “He was screaming in multiple languages, punching out the window, and trying to kick it out.”
Phillips, assisted by several other passengers, successfully subdued the man using zip ties and boot laces to secure him.
Their actions allowed the flight to continue to Houston without the need for an emergency landing, though the group had to ensure the man remained contained for two more hours.
Tense Altercation on Frontier Airlines Flight to Houston
Phillips reported that the man sustained hand injuries during the altercation, leaving blood marks on the window and ceiling due to the Plexiglas.
Despite the tense situation, he expressed relief that it was managed effectively and no one else was harmed.
According to Express, the flight arrived safely in Houston at approximately 10:20 p.m., where passengers showed their appreciation. Clark recalled that many applauded and thanked those who contributed to ensuring a safe landing.
The Houston Police Department was prepared when the plane landed and began investigating. Although no charges were filed immediately, the man’s identity remains undisclosed.
Some passengers speculated he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. The airline chose not to press charges on the spot.