Passenger on JetBlue flight from Boston tried to enter cockpit midair, was forcibly restrained

BOSTON — A JetBlue passenger on a Wednesday flight from Boston to Puerto Rico allegedly tried to get into the cockpit and had to be stopped by flight crew members, according to an affidavit sent to Boston 25 News from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It alleges Khalil El Dahr got upset about a phone call not working then, 45 minutes before the flight landed in San Juan, ran towards the cockpit screaming in Spanish. A flight attendant who tried to stop him was grabbed and kicked.

“The struggle continued until six or seven flight crew members were able to restrain El Dahr using makeshift restraints, which included the JetBlue Flight attendant’s tie around El Dahr’s ankles and seat belt extenders around El Dahr’s torso,” that affidavit reads.

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Another struggle happened right before landing during which El Dahr asked to be shot and killed. At one point he was able to allegedly punch a flight attendant and break free from some handcuffs.

He was eventually restrained again and was later charged with Interfering with a Flight Crew, according to details provided by the FBI in San Juan Friday afternoon.

A resident of Puerto Rico, El Dahr is a U.S. citizen. The FBI is investigating.

“FBI San Juan Agents responded to an incident onboard an airplane and a gentleman was taken into custody. He is being charged with Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants. The FBI takes these matters very seriously and we evaluate every possible angle, to ensure public safety. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we will refrain from making any further comments at this time,” they wrote Friday.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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