Trip Reports - KLM - violent drama unfolds at 35000 feet!

The following narrative gives the details of a true incident that occured on a KLM flight during March 2005. Some identifying details such as names, locations and ethnicities have been withheld or changed as the matter is under investigation by the Dutch authorities.

---

It is a cloudless night as the KLM aircraft soars high above the earth carrying 221 passengers towards Amsterdam. Inside the blue painted tube, most of the passengers are awake, many watching the moving map display as the crew prepare for the meal service.

In the forward part of the economy class cabin, the purser is walking through the cabin when he detects a smell that every crewmember has been trained to dread.... smoke. His nose tries to trace the smell and it leads him to a set of three seats by the window in the middle of the plane, occupied by a man curled up under a blanket who appears to be sleeping.

The purser reaches over to draw the mans attention and suddenly realizes that the passenger is not only awake, but has a cigarette lit under the blanket, a strictly forbidden practise aboard this airliner. He recognizes the passenger as one that he had expressed concern about to the ground staff during boarding due to the strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

The passenger is very sheepish and extinguishes his cigarette immediately when requested. He apologizes and asks for a stiff whisky instead. The purser tells him that dinner is about to be served, but due to his already inebriated condition the crew will be instructed not to serve him any more alcohol. The passenger begins to get upset and argue. The purser apologizes for having to take this step and heads back to the galley to continue the meal service.

A few minutes later, the purser hears a loud crash from the same area. In frustration after being denied any alcohol by the crewmember handing out meals, the passenger has picked up his meal tray and slammed it on the floor. The purser is very concerned and orders the passenger to remain seated while he speaks with the captain. When he returns, the passenger is still seated but has managed to open a bottle of his Duty Free alcohol purchase for consumption.

The purser hands the passenger a pre-printed notice entitled "FINAL WARNING" (http://www.airwhiners.net/images/uploads/klmwarning.jpg) that has been signed by the Purser and Captain. The notice warns the passenger that his conduct may be in violation of Dutch law and he must cease and desist from further such activity or else face the consequences. The passenger apologizes and promises to remain seated for the rest of the flight. His bottle of Duty Free is confiscated.

Ten minutes later, the purser is alerted by a salvo of call bells ringing. The passenger has gotten out of his seat and is opening overhead bins at random in an attempt to locate more bottles of Duty Free alcohol. The purser and a hefty cabin crew member approach the passenger and request him to accompany them to the rear of the aircraft. In the galley there, the passenger is notified that he was being placed in the last row of seats for the remainder of the flight in consideration of the safety and comfort of the other passengers. The purser asks the nearby passengers to alert the crew if the passenger again tries to move from his seat.

Fifteen minutes pass and the crew are collecting used trays from the meal service when another salvo of call bells from nearby passengers alerts the purser that the passenger is attempting to leave his seat again. The passenger is now muttering loudly in a foreign language. Another passenger who understands the language informs the purser that the passenger is abusing the "racist" crew for insulting him and stealing his Duty Free purchases.

The purser calls the cockpit and obtains authorization from the captain to restrain the passenger if neccessary. Another crewmember heads towards the cockpit to collect the handcuffs stored there. In the meanwhile, the purser confronts the passenger again and requests him with the assistance of the interpreter to return to his seat. The passenger begins to get very agitated and starts shouting in the aisle and waving his arms about. The purser cautions him to keep his arms down. The passenger apologizes and agrees to return to his seat. As he passes the purser on the way, he suddenly turns and with a clenched fist takes a swing at the purser's head. Chaos breaks loose...

The interpreter who is standing right behind the purser notices the blow on the way and grabs the passenger's wrist before he makes contact with the Purser. The passenger now attempts to attack the interpreter who body slams him into the bulkhead and twists his right arm behind his back. The passenger continues to swing randomly with his left hand, so the interpreter sweeps his feet out from under him and drops him face-down on the carpet in the aisle. The purser assists in restraining the passenger on the floor while the other crew members comes running down the aisle from the cockpit with the handcuffs.

The passenger is handcuffed with his arms behind his back and the purser reads to him from a prepared script. "In accordance with the law of the Netherlands, you have been placed under arrest by the authority of the Captain of the aircraft. You will comply with all directives of the crew and other authorized persons until arrival at the next station where you will be turned over to local authorities and will face charges for your actions. You have been placed under arrest for interference with a crewmember in the performance of their duties."

The passenger is seatbelted into the window seat in the last row with his hands immobilized behind his back. The interpreter and the crew retire to the rear galley to write up statements of the events. Suddenly there is a loud crash, followed by a thud and then a scream from a female passenger. They rush into the aisle and see the body of the handcuffed passenger sprawled in the aisle, still handcuffed but now with blood pouring out of his head.

The passenger had managed to loosen his seatbelt and was trying to jump out of his seat when he lost his balance and fell across the aisle, hitting his head first on an open tray table and then on the armrest of the seat. He was bleeding from a gash where his head had hit the armrest.

The interpreter was the first to reach the body and immediately checked for a pulse. The passenger was still alive and indeed conscious enough to attempt to bite the interpreter's hand and attempt to headbutt him, splashing his blood over the interpreter's clothes (http://www.airwhiners.net/images/uploads/klmdamage.jpg). Three crewmembers lift the passenger out of the aisle and carry him to the rear galley while another drags out the First Aid kit.

As the crew try to dress the wound, the passenger continues a steady stream of abuse and non-cooperation - kicking and attempting to bite those assisting him. A set of plastic ties is obtained and the passenger's feet are bound and held in place by a crewmember. Another crewmember holds the passengers hair and immobilizes his head while the purser applies a field dressing to the wound.

The passenger is now escorted to the rear jumpseat in the galley, still with his hands cuffed and legs bound and immobilized there in a 3-point harness. He continues to scream loudly but he can no longer cause any trouble. The captain comes to the rear of the plane to inquire whether everything was under control. He is advised that everything was now in order and that the aircraft should continue to Amsterdam.

The remainder of the flight passes relatively uneventfully, with the passenger alternately sleeping and shouting curses in his native language. Prior to landing, the crew cut the plastic ties binding his legs and place him in the window seat of the last row with aisle seat open. The interpreter is seated across the aisle from him and is given custody of the handcuff key. In the event of an emergency during landing, the interpreter is instructed to release the handcuffs and with the assistance of two other large male passengers seated in the next row forward, to escort the passenger off the aircraft.

The aircraft lands safely in Amsterdam and taxies to the gate. An officer of the Koninklijke Marrechaussee boards the aircraft and comes to the rear of the aircraft where the passenger is seated. He takes custody of the handcuff key. Once all passengers have disembarked, he is led away by the police. As he leaves the aircraft, he says that he hopes this will be sorted out quickly since his connecting flight leaves in a few hours. Everyone laughs. A comic end to a drama that could so easily have been a tragedy.

B747 - that's a dramatic incident. It really highlights the challenges that flight crew face. Honestly, I'm glad it was you and not me living thru that incident - there had to be moments of concern as to what damage the man might cause. And how absurd - after all he did, to think he might make his connecting flight.

WOW. This is the kind of stuff I hope I never have to experience when flying. Sounds like the interpreter did an awesome job.

Yes, nice job "interpreter."

Seriously, Sean, you are welcome on my flights anytime!

Wow. I hope KLM is generous to the interpreter in particular. Something I hope no pax or crew should ever have to go through.

Made me think of a comment attributed to Clinton when he was dealing with a visiting, very drunk Yeltsin. As Yeltsin demanded delivery pizza very late at night, Clinton reportedly said, "at least he's not a mean drunk".

Well done interpreter. ^
Well done KL crew. ^
I hope that the passenger will be locked in jail for at least 10 YEARS :mad: :td:

KLM did a good job. Maybe the guy had Mental Retardation or Bipolar Disorder. Or even an Alcoholic Abuse disorder. BTW I love the part when he said"I hope this will be straightened out soon so I can make my connecting flight". How about "Your connection is waiting outside customs to take you to jail". You are too stupid to be on any flights as you harassed our crew. KLM does not welcome you onboard any of our flights.

Thanks for the report, it must have felt uneasy being a passenger on that flight. Well, even more being a crew member on that flight..

Nice Job ^

Just when i thougth people couldnt get any stupider, someone has to go up and prove me wrong. Out of curiosity, why wasnt it reported that he was also smoking on board? :confused:

Wow! Nice work.

Wow sean, thats an interesting and mildly scarey story. In all my years of flying i have never encountered anything like that.

Nice Job ^
Just when i thougth people couldnt get any stupider, someone has to go up and prove me wrong. Out of curiosity, why wasnt it reported that he was also smoking on board? :confused:

i would assume that it would be because they would convict him for the worst offense? or maybe because he only smoked once, and adheared to the warning? thats only my speculation.

Just when you think someone couldnt get any more idiotic, god invents a smarter idiot.

Welcome to FT Adi...

It's great to hear everything turned out ok (except for the drunk passenger, of course). I guess he was really up on some "liquid courage".

Excellent report and excellent work by the "interpreter" -- who should be given a lifetime pass on KLM.

I do, however, have to wonder why, with this kind of a situation going on -- which could easily have been set up by terrorists as a distraction -- the captain came out of the cockpit while the plane was still in flight. This should have been a time when extra precautions were taken to keep the cockpit door locked.

I do, however, have to wonder why, with this kind of a situation going on -- which could easily have been set up by terrorists as a distraction -- the captain came out of the cockpit while the plane was still in flight. This should have been a time when extra precautions were taken to keep the cockpit door locked.


I wondered about the wisdom of keeping the handcuffs in the cockpit as well...

What a fascinating read! How did you get copies of all the documents?

i would assume that it would be because they would convict him for the worst offense? or maybe because he only smoked once, and adheared to the warning? thats only my speculation.

Just when you think someone couldnt get any more idiotic, god invents a smarter idiot.

Welcome to FT Adi...

Thanks Neale
Well as for your statement, does it mean that it is ok to smoke on board as long as you do something worse, which will take the attention away from the actual wrong doing.
And also i was on a swiss flight last year in which someone was caught smoking, he was taken to the back of the aircraft and kept there for the whole flight. He was handed to the authorities at YUL upon our arrival.

Also does this not show the lack of proper checking. how can a passenger on board be allowed to carry a lighter(i assume thats what he used to light his cigerrates ) With the ready avaliability of liquor and now a source of fire, is it not a MAJOR hazard on an aircraft? :confused:

Thanks Neale
Well as for your statement, does it mean that it is ok to smoke on board as long as you do something worse, which will take the attention away from the actual wrong doing....Also does this not show the lack of proper checking. how can a passenger on board be allowed to carry a lighter(i assume thats what he used to light his cigerrates ) With the ready avaliability of liquor and now a source of fire, is it not a MAJOR hazard on an aircraft? :confused:

I imagine they saw the smoking as a "lesser included crime". If I break into someone's house and kill the occupants the police are probably not going to bother charging me with trespassing.

Until April 14, cigarette lighters are allowed on all flights. On that day they will be banned from U.S. flights only but still allowed on all others. Matches will continue to be allowed on U.S. flights.

Nobody, ever, has succeeded in causing any serious damage to any flight with the use of a cigarette lighter. Banning them (which the TSA opposed) was just a bit of Senatorial stupidity.

Wow, that is wild.

Phenominal story B747-437B. I agree that the crew and interpreter should be feted for their actions. Trust he caught a train to his final destination nd has been black-carded from all airlines...

I witnessed a very similar event in early 2004 from AMS to BKK on a KLM flight. I was sitting in the nose section in Biz Class and as soonas dinner had been served the whole crew literally dissapeared. Two guys over on my right wanted service but no one answered the call button. They went to the gallet but no one was there. They opened a bottle of duty free and to cut a long story short they got into an argument with two guys sat in front of them. A full on fist fight broke out and passengers seperated them. The bursor finaly arived and was well P******D off at being woken up and the fact her crew needed sleep. She did nothing at all to solve the problem and basically made it known that there wuld be no more drinks for anyone on this flight.

I saw a female AA cabin crew punched (and decked) by a first class passenger during the taxi before a flight from MIA - LIM about 2.5 years ago. Stupid guy. There was two professional football players also in first who took care of him. Was delayed by two hours though !

That passenger should be glad I was not the interpreter. I would go f******g postal on him if he bit me. Too bad the captain did not give the crew a crash axe to use on the passenger. I recall after 9/11 a passenger on a United flight to south america was so drunk that he tried to break into the cockpit. The first office swung away like he was marie antoinette. Lucky for him the FO used the blunt side. Oh well its only time before someone gets killed in an onboard fight.

Weird, I found a similar post on airliners.net, http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/2041064/ :rolleyes:

Weird, I found a similar post on airliners.net, http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/2041064/ :rolleyes:

Considering that both posts were made by the same person I don't see anything weird about it. From time to time I, too, have made the same post on more than one bulletin board.

Oh well its only time before someone gets killed in an onboard fight.


It's already happened. A few years back, a man died (asphyxiated, if I recall correctly) on a Southwest flight while being restrained. A similar incident happened recently on an American flight as well - but not enough details out about it yet to know if his death was directly caused by those trying to subdue him.

Death of Disruptive Airline Passenger Probed
Subdued by Passengers, Man Removed Dead From Jet

NEW YORK (March 20) - Prosecutors are investigating the death of a man who was subdued by several fellow airline passengers after he became disruptive on a New York-bound flight, a spokesman said Sunday.

William Lee was pronounced dead late Friday after he was removed from the American Airlines flight at Kennedy International Airport. The cause of death had not yet been determined and was under investigation.

(sorry, I don't have a link to the story and couldn't find it in google)

That passenger should be glad I was not the interpreter. I would go f******g postal on him if he bit me. Too bad the captain did not give the crew a crash axe to use on the passenger. I recall after 9/11 a passenger on a United flight to south america was so drunk that he tried to break into the cockpit. The first office swung away like he was marie antoinette. Lucky for him the FO used the blunt side. Oh well its only time before someone gets killed in an onboard fight.

:rolleyes: <shakes head in dismay> :rolleyes:

Phenominal story B747-437B. I agree that the crew and interpreter should be feted for their actions. Trust he caught a train to his final destination nd has been black-carded from all airlines...

Can someone be black-carded from ALL airlines with an incident like this? I understand never flying KLM again. If this is possible, does that mean that they will be grounded on one continent for the rest of their life? Probably not since terrorist from all over the world still find ways to travel, so could this guy.

KLM did a good job. Maybe the guy had Mental Retardation or Bipolar Disorder. Or even an Alcoholic Abuse disorder. BTW I love the part when he said"I hope this will be straightened out soon so I can make my connecting flight". How about "Your connection is waiting outside customs to take you to jail". You are too stupid to be on any flights as you harassed our crew. KLM does not welcome you onboard any of our flights.

Let's be cautious about throwing around diagnoses, shall we? Not all that is "crazy" or "dangerous" is mental illness! :td: By the way - no such diagnosis as "alcoholic abuse disorder", sorry!
What I want to know is - what more can be done to ensure the safety and comfort of the other passengers seated around this man? Sounds like most of them would have been VERY upset with this dangerous situation!

What I want to know is - what more can be done to ensure the safety and comfort of the other passengers seated around this man? Sounds like most of them would have been VERY upset with this dangerous situation!

In an ideal situation, volunteers (usually deadheading or off-duty crew/other employees) would move to sit next a problem passenger for the rest of the flight after he'd been subdued. Obviously we're not going to leave anyone's grandmother sitting next to someone like this..

Let's be cautious about throwing around diagnoses, shall we? Not all that is "crazy" or "dangerous" is mental illness! :td: By the way - no such diagnosis as "alcoholic abuse disorder", sorry!


"DSM IV alcohol use classification

Formal classification of alcohol disorders may be undertaken using the criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s classification DSM IV. This system diagnoses alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (mild, moderate or severe)."

"DSM IV alcohol use classification

Formal classification of alcohol disorders may be undertaken using the criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s classification DSM IV. This system diagnoses alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (mild, moderate or severe)."

Alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse, cannabis abuse,.....polysubstance dependence, yes, but not "alcoholic abuse disorder". Alcoholic is not a medical term and is not a diagnosis. Nice try! :D
By the way - did you just pull this out of the DSM IV or are you a seasoned mental health professional? :eek:
Have you ever heard the phrase, "don't teach your grandmother how to suck eggs?" I believe this would apply here! :D
It really gets very old hearing people excuse bad behavior off as "mental illness". I think it is demeaning to people who actually HAVE a mental illness. True, some mental illnesses can manifest with bizzarre or inappropriate behaviors, but let's not just jump to conclusions about this man. Maybe he was just a "healthy", rude, and selfish individual! How about people taking personal responsibility for their actions? Now there's a new concept for a lot of people! I don't imagine anyone on the plane poured the liquor down his throat, do you? :td:
By the way - if you do have "alcohol abuse" as a medical problem, then it probably is not a good idea to drink alcohol on a plane. But people CHOOSE to do so. So they should take full responsibility for their actions if they become intoxicated! They knew it could happen if they drank!
Likewise, if you have mental illness "Z" and have to take medication to control it, and know that you may behave bizzarely if you do not take your medication, and you CHOOSE not to take your medicine, does this mean that you are not "responsible" for your actions if you decompensate? :rolleyes:
Wow - this really got off subject, didn't it? But I thought some social commentary was needed here.

As someone with a mental illness (which I will not specify) I am really offended at the bipolar disorder statement/mental retardation statement.

You have no idea what this guy has/is up to, and your comment does nothing but insult those who struggle daily with mental illnesses to live a normal life, like 99% of people who have them do, like I do.

It's different to say "he needs to have his head examined" because he could have just been drunk or just overly obnoxious (probably both) but tossing around psychological diagnoses is just absurd :td: :td:

btw, B747.. amazing report.. glad nothing serious happened.

"alcoholic abuse disorder"

I suppose you could make an argument that it would be the disorder where you abuse alcoholics, but I probably just assumed a typo. As for seasoning, very little. Professional - probably not? Depends on your definition - EMT & CISM (volunteer).

Agree with you about personal responsibility, while acknowledging that real disorders do exist.

Now back to feeding my caffeine addiction...

Once again I question this report. First of all how would Sean get these documents? He doesn't work for KLM and I certainly hope he wasn't the passenger in question. How else could he have taken these documents (originals) home with him, photographed them on a desk and posted them? :confused:

I am seeing more and more problems with passengers fuelled with booze. I fly monthly between Europe and Asia and there are lot more people who are discovering how to get into business class who would normally travel ecenomy. Often the FA's dont monitor the pasengers boarding, the amount they are drinking during the flight and the ones who sneak into business class to have a so called chat with their friend.

These people are not only dangerous but a menace to evryone else on board.

Once again I question this report. First of all how would Sean get these documents? He doesn't work for KLM and I certainly hope he wasn't the passenger in question. How else could he have taken these documents (originals) home with him, photographed them on a desk and posted them? :confused:

I thought the point was that he was the interpreter person involved in the story. If not, then it makes very little sense.

There are pictures of two documents linked in the story. The first is an example of the standard KLM pre-printed warning, but it is not the actual warning for this case as the report mentions that it is signed, while the picture does not have the signatures.

The second document is a copy of the claims report that I would immagine that he filed with KLM to get some payment for the damages to his clothes. Note that it is the carbon copy, not the front page of the form.

See, not so complicated. :)

As someone with a mental illness (which I will not specify) I am really offended at the bipolar disorder statement/mental retardation statement.

You have no idea what this guy has/is up to, and your comment does nothing but insult those who struggle daily with mental illnesses to live a normal life, like 99% of people who have them do, like I do.

It's different to say "he needs to have his head examined" because he could have just been drunk or just overly obnoxious (probably both) but tossing around psychological diagnoses is just absurd :td: :td:

btw, B747.. amazing report.. glad nothing serious happened.

here! here!

Too many respondants sounded like nothing more than a mob out to see the next execution.

In the three months since this incident occured a couple of interesting facts have come to light.

a) KLM has followed up with the interpreter and will be delivering a "token of our appreciation" for his assistance on the flight.

b) The passenger has a history of violent activity and had already been blacklisted by British Airways for a similar incident just a week prior to the KLM one.

In the three months since this incident occured a couple of interesting facts have come to light.

a) KLM has followed up with the interpreter and will be delivering a "token of our appreciation" for his assistance on the flight.

b) The passenger has a history of violent activity and had already been blacklisted by British Airways for a similar incident just a week prior to the KLM one.
I am pleased to hear that the "interpreter" will be receiving a token of appreciation.
^

I am pleased to hear that the "interpreter" will be receiving a token of appreciation.
^

Absolutely ^

a) KLM has followed up with the interpreter and will be delivering a "token of our appreciation" for his assistance on the flight.


Very good news. ^

Perhaps they will send the T&C's for FB or details of which fares earn miles or even a no. where one could speak to a FB agent or details on how to book an award without paying double miles. :)

I am far from defending the poor soul who started this incident, but I found this "report" so one-sided in favour of the crew that I questioned it.

On reflection, I actually think that the crew could have handled this situation much better when it was starting and prevented it from having escalated they way it did. I would not have wanted to be a passenger on that flight.





The following narrative gives the details of a true incident that occured on a KLM flight during March 2005. Some identifying details such as names, locations and ethnicities have been withheld or changed as the matter is under investigation by the Dutch authorities.

---

It is a cloudless night as the KLM aircraft soars high above the earth carrying 221 passengers towards Amsterdam. Inside the blue painted tube, most of the passengers are awake, many watching the moving map display as the crew prepare for the meal service.

In the forward part of the economy class cabin, the purser is walking through the cabin when he detects a smell that every crewmember has been trained to dread.... smoke. His nose tries to trace the smell and it leads him to a set of three seats by the window in the middle of the plane, occupied by a man curled up under a blanket who appears to be sleeping.

The purser reaches over to draw the mans attention and suddenly realizes that the passenger is not only awake, but has a cigarette lit under the blanket, a strictly forbidden practise aboard this airliner. He recognizes the passenger as one that he had expressed concern about to the ground staff during boarding due to the strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

The passenger is very sheepish and extinguishes his cigarette immediately when requested. He apologizes and asks for a stiff whisky instead. The purser tells him that dinner is about to be served, but due to his already inebriated condition the crew will be instructed not to serve him any more alcohol. The passenger begins to get upset and argue. The purser apologizes for having to take this step and heads back to the galley to continue the meal service.

A few minutes later, the purser hears a loud crash from the same area. In frustration after being denied any alcohol by the crewmember handing out meals, the passenger has picked up his meal tray and slammed it on the floor. The purser is very concerned and orders the passenger to remain seated while he speaks with the captain. When he returns, the passenger is still seated but has managed to open a bottle of his Duty Free alcohol purchase for consumption.

The purser hands the passenger a pre-printed notice entitled "FINAL WARNING" (http://www.airwhiners.net/images/uploads/klmwarning.jpg) that has been signed by the Purser and Captain. The notice warns the passenger that his conduct may be in violation of Dutch law and he must cease and desist from further such activity or else face the consequences. The passenger apologizes and promises to remain seated for the rest of the flight. His bottle of Duty Free is confiscated.

Ten minutes later, the purser is alerted by a salvo of call bells ringing. The passenger has gotten out of his seat and is opening overhead bins at random in an attempt to locate more bottles of Duty Free alcohol. The purser and a hefty cabin crew member approach the passenger and request him to accompany them to the rear of the aircraft. In the galley there, the passenger is notified that he was being placed in the last row of seats for the remainder of the flight in consideration of the safety and comfort of the other passengers. The purser asks the nearby passengers to alert the crew if the passenger again tries to move from his seat.

Fifteen minutes pass and the crew are collecting used trays from the meal service when another salvo of call bells from nearby passengers alerts the purser that the passenger is attempting to leave his seat again. The passenger is now muttering loudly in a foreign language. Another passenger who understands the language informs the purser that the passenger is abusing the "racist" crew for insulting him and stealing his Duty Free purchases.

The purser calls the cockpit and obtains authorization from the captain to restrain the passenger if neccessary. Another crewmember heads towards the cockpit to collect the handcuffs stored there. In the meanwhile, the purser confronts the passenger again and requests him with the assistance of the interpreter to return to his seat. The passenger begins to get very agitated and starts shouting in the aisle and waving his arms about. The purser cautions him to keep his arms down. The passenger apologizes and agrees to return to his seat. As he passes the purser on the way, he suddenly turns and with a clenched fist takes a swing at the purser's head. Chaos breaks loose...

The interpreter who is standing right behind the purser notices the blow on the way and grabs the passenger's wrist before he makes contact with the Purser. The passenger now attempts to attack the interpreter who body slams him into the bulkhead and twists his right arm behind his back. The passenger continues to swing randomly with his left hand, so the interpreter sweeps his feet out from under him and drops him face-down on the carpet in the aisle. The purser assists in restraining the passenger on the floor while the other crew members comes running down the aisle from the cockpit with the handcuffs.

The passenger is handcuffed with his arms behind his back and the purser reads to him from a prepared script. "In accordance with the law of the Netherlands, you have been placed under arrest by the authority of the Captain of the aircraft. You will comply with all directives of the crew and other authorized persons until arrival at the next station where you will be turned over to local authorities and will face charges for your actions. You have been placed under arrest for interference with a crewmember in the performance of their duties."

The passenger is seatbelted into the window seat in the last row with his hands immobilized behind his back. The interpreter and the crew retire to the rear galley to write up statements of the events. Suddenly there is a loud crash, followed by a thud and then a scream from a female passenger. They rush into the aisle and see the body of the handcuffed passenger sprawled in the aisle, still handcuffed but now with blood pouring out of his head.

The passenger had managed to loosen his seatbelt and was trying to jump out of his seat when he lost his balance and fell across the aisle, hitting his head first on an open tray table and then on the armrest of the seat. He was bleeding from a gash where his head had hit the armrest.

The interpreter was the first to reach the body and immediately checked for a pulse. The passenger was still alive and indeed conscious enough to attempt to bite the interpreter's hand and attempt to headbutt him, splashing his blood over the interpreter's clothes (http://www.airwhiners.net/images/uploads/klmdamage.jpg). Three crewmembers lift the passenger out of the aisle and carry him to the rear galley while another drags out the First Aid kit.

As the crew try to dress the wound, the passenger continues a steady stream of abuse and non-cooperation - kicking and attempting to bite those assisting him. A set of plastic ties is obtained and the passenger's feet are bound and held in place by a crewmember. Another crewmember holds the passengers hair and immobilizes his head while the purser applies a field dressing to the wound.

The passenger is now escorted to the rear jumpseat in the galley, still with his hands cuffed and legs bound and immobilized there in a 3-point harness. He continues to scream loudly but he can no longer cause any trouble. The captain comes to the rear of the plane to inquire whether everything was under control. He is advised that everything was now in order and that the aircraft should continue to Amsterdam.

The remainder of the flight passes relatively uneventfully, with the passenger alternately sleeping and shouting curses in his native language. Prior to landing, the crew cut the plastic ties binding his legs and place him in the window seat of the last row with aisle seat open. The interpreter is seated across the aisle from him and is given custody of the handcuff key. In the event of an emergency during landing, the interpreter is instructed to release the handcuffs and with the assistance of two other large male passengers seated in the next row forward, to escort the passenger off the aircraft.

The aircraft lands safely in Amsterdam and taxies to the gate. An officer of the Koninklijke Marrechaussee boards the aircraft and comes to the rear of the aircraft where the passenger is seated. He takes custody of the handcuff key. Once all passengers have disembarked, he is led away by the police. As he leaves the aircraft, he says that he hopes this will be sorted out quickly since his connecting flight leaves in a few hours. Everyone laughs. A comic end to a drama that could so easily have been a tragedy.

I am far from defending the poor soul who started this incident, but I found this "report" so one-sided in favour of the crew that I questioned it.

On reflection, I actually think that the crew could have handled this situation much better when it was starting and prevented it from having escalated they way it did. I would not have wanted to be a passenger on that flight.
I think the crew did everything by the book.Also that passenger was blacklisred by BA, so that was not his first incident. I do not know how anybody can defend him.

I think the crew did everything by the book.Also that passenger was blacklisred by BA, so that was not his first incident. I do not know how anybody can defend him.


That's my point - it was so by the book that it didn't look like an honest report on the situation.

As I said, I am not defending him.

Ah, this original post is so bogus. Give me a link to any legitimate source that reports this so-called incident and then I'll believe it.

Here's the give away:
It is a cloudless night as the KLM aircraft soars high above the earth carrying 221 passengers towards Amsterdam. Inside the blue painted tube, most of the passengers are awake, many watching the moving map display as the crew prepare for the meal service.


What's that sound like? "It was a dark and stormy night..."

C'mon!

I am pleased to hear that the "interpreter" will be receiving a token of appreciation.
^

Let's hope the token isn't a Generous one, By Nature. I'm sure Sean doesn't need a black eye.