Man Tries To Break Into Cockpit On LAX-To-Honolulu Flight

LOS ANGELES, CA — A passenger aboard a Honolulu-bound plane from Los Angeles International Airport had to be subdued aboard the flight Friday when he allegedly caused a disturbance and may have tried to get into the cockpit.

American Airlines Flight 31, an Airbus A321 that left LAX around 8:30 a.m., landed safely in Honolulu at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time, according to the airline.

"Due to a disturbance on the flight, the crew requested that law enforcement meet the aircraft upon landing in Honolulu," according to the airlines. "American is in touch with federal law enforcement."

Citing an "active investigation," the airline referred additional questions to the FBI's Honolulu Division, which did not immediately respond to a City News Service inquiry.

A passenger on the flight posted a short video on Instagram of FBI agents leading the suspect off the plane in handcuffs. A message accompanying the video read: "Crazy! Someone tried to break into the cockpit on my flight from LA to Honolulu. We were greeted by the FBI. They are now taking us off the plane a few rows at a time for dog sniffing and interviews. I've never seen anything like this."

According to reports out of Hawaii, some witnesses said the suspect was a Turkish man who pulled his shirt over his head and tried to make his way to the front of the plane, but was blocked by flight attendants.

Hawaii News Now reported the man was cited while still at LAX for allegedly breaching a secure door, but he was still allowed to board the flight after being assessed.

An airport official was unable to immediately confirm the report.

According to a statement from Cmdr. David Benham of U.S. Pacific Command, two F-22 Raptors from the Hawaii Air National Guard "scrambled this morning in response to a reported disturbance on a civilian airliner making an approach to Honolulu International Airport. The F-22s escorted the airliner to the airport in accordance with homeland defense procedures. Local law enforcement responded once the civilian airliner was on the ground."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security acknowledged in a statement that the suspect was detained and in custody.

The department "is prepared to assist other federal and local law enforcement agencies as they investigate the incident. At this time, there are no other reports of disruptions to flights. We continue to monitor all flights out of an abundance of caution and will provide updates as necessary," according to the statement.

— City News Service, photo courtesy of American Airlines