Massachusetts Man Accused of Trying to Stab Flight Attendant, Open Plane Door During Flight

BOSTON, Massachusetts — A man on a United Airlines flight Sunday from Los Angeles to Boston tried to open the emergency door to the plane, then attempted to stab a flight attendant multiple times, federal authorities say.

Francisco Severo Torres, 33, of Leominster, Mass., is charged with one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Torres was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says the trouble began about 45 minutes before the plane landed in Boston. Prosecutors say an alarm went off in the cockpit showing that a side door between the first class and coach sections of the plane had been “disarmed.” A flight attendant checked the door and noticed the handle had been moved out of its fully locked position and the emergency slide arming lever had been moved to the “disarmed” position.

Another flight attendant had seen Torres near the door, prosecutors say. A flight attendant confronted Torres and he reportedly asked if they had video of him tampering with the door. The flight attendant told the plane’s captain that Torres was a threat and the plane should be landed as soon as possible, prosecutors say.

Torres is accused of getting out of his seat moments later and approaching two flight attendants who were standing in the aisle. Authorities say Torres, armed with a broken metal spoon, tried to stab one of the attendants three times in the neck. Other passengers and crew members tackled Torres and restrained him, prosecutors say.

Passengers on the plane told investigators that Torres, holding a safety card, asked someone to show him where the door handle was during the flight attendants’ safety demonstration before the flight. He also reportedly was seen pacing in the galley area before the attack on the flight attendant, prosecutors say.

ABC News released video showing the incident on Twitter early Tuesday morning.

If found guilty, Torres could face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors say.

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