Update (1:45 p.m.; 5/21/2017)
Bloomberg is now reporting that the passenger was not trying to breach the cockpit as previously reported, but rather his motive was to secure a first class seat although he purchased an economy fare ticket.
Original Story:
Two F22 Raptor fighter jets were deployed from the Hawaiian Air National Guard to escort a Honolulu-bound American Airlines flight after a passenger caused a disturbance onboard the flight.
Although police are still trying to determine a motive for the cause, the man reportedly headed into the first class cabin with a blanket over his head in what flight crew believed was intended to be a breach of the cockpit door.
As the man, who has since been identified as Turkish National Anil Tuvanc Uskanli, approached the rear of the first class cabin where the drink cart was situated, the cabin crew asked him to return to his seat. The passenger did not comply and instead flung himself against the drink cart. Subsequently the crew, in assistance with several passengers, including an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer, forcibly escorted the man back to his seat, where they used duct tape, pillows and blankets to secure him to his seat.
The incident occurred about 30 minutes into the flight, which departed LAX at 8:34 a.m. and was scheduled to land at 11:35 local time in Honolulu. At about the three-hour mark, the plane adopted procedures in accordance with an explosives scare and dropped to 10,000 feet, after which it was met by the fighter jets.
Upon landing, the flight was met by FBI agents and the passenger was escorted off the plane into federal custody. No explosives were involved in the incident, no passengers were injured and the FBI say they are not aware of any threats to any other aircraft.
Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL
It was later learned that the passenger was also detained at Los Angeles international Airport earlier in the day for a separate incident in which he breached a "crew only" door leading to the airfield. Although he was arrested, appeared intoxicated and charged with misdemeanor trespassing, he was also released from custody in time to board the flight to Honolulu.
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The suspect was reportedly in the United States on a student and tourist visa and was enrolled in the Michelle Danner Acting School in Santa Monica. His visa has been revoked and the school has also confirmed that although he was a student there, he is no longer enrolled.
FBI have not yet stated what charges the man faces, although it is likely he will be charged with "interfering with a flight crew," which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
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