Man Arrested on LAX Runway as Delta Flight Prepared for Takeoff

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:03 AM ET, Tue August 28, 2018

Police arrested a man Monday who reportedly scaled a fence at Los Angeles International Airport and ran on to the runway as a plane was preparing for takeoff.

According to KABC Los Angeles, the suspect was identified as a 23-year-old homeless man with mental health issues named Luis Aguilar. Police revealed he has been charged with trespassing as a result of the incident.

Aguilar reportedly climbed the fence in the northernmost part of the Los Angeles airport around 2 p.m. local time Monday and approached a Delta Air Lines flight preparing to take off.

One passenger reported that the man started doing pushups on the runway.

Bizarre travel day here at #LAX.

Right now sitting on a plane that was readying for takeoff.

Someone ran onto the tarmac and apparently tried to stop / jump onto our plane.

He was just arrested by police. Law enforcement currently searching for foreign objects on runway. pic.twitter.com/vGTCLzNszL

- Zach Wigal (@ZachWigal) August 27, 2018

Los Angeles Airport Police public information officer Rob Pedregon said officers were quickly on the scene and took the man into custody. Once in handcuffs, Aguilar was placed inside a police car and transported away from the runway.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

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