Disruptive Passenger Causes Emergency Landing for American Flight

Image: Con el programa de lealtad AAdvantage, de American Airlines, una milla ganada equivale a un punto de lealtad. (Photo via: Flickr/Eric Salard. (Flickr/Eric Salard)
Image: Con el programa de lealtad AAdvantage, de American Airlines, una milla ganada equivale a un punto de lealtad. (Photo via: Flickr/Eric Salard. (Flickr/Eric Salard)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:03 AM ET, Fri June 21, 2019

An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma after an intoxicated passenger became disruptive and had to be restrained.

According to Fox Oklahoma City, American Flight 2840 was en route from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport when the captain was forced to call for an emergency landing at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.

The flight was around 20 minutes outside Dallas when 32-year-old Brandon Ganus started yelling obscenities, threatening other passengers and eventually became violent. Crew members and passengers restrained Ganus with a plastic zip cuff and duct tape until the plane landed.

"The people on board were doing everything they could to restrain him," Oklahoma City Police Department Master Sgt. Gary Knight told Fox. "He was not cooperating. He repeatedly made threats toward the officers and called them names."

Once the American flight landed safely in Oklahoma, local police boarded the aircraft and removed Ganus as the other people on the plane applauded. Bodycam video of the incident showed the man clearly intoxicated and slurring his words.

Ganus was arrested and faces charges of public intoxication, resisting arrest, assault and battery and disorderly conduct. The rest of the passengers on the flight continued their journey to Texas and landed in Dallas a short time later.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...
Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...