An American Airlines flight was thrown into disorder Sunday morning after a passenger was reportedly accused of biting a fellow traveler and trying to confront others on the plane.
The tense episode unfolded as Flight 3046 was nearing Philadelphia International Airport following its departure from Charlotte, North Carolina.
In an audio recording reviewed by News Agency, the pilot can be heard notifying air traffic control about the rapidly escalating disturbance involving the passenger.
“He just bit a passenger, and he’s trying to fight everybody,” the pilot said in the recording posted on LiveATC.
An American Airlines flight traveling from Charlotte to Philadelphia was met by medical crews and law enforcement after a passenger was accused of biting another person and attempting to fight others onboard. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The flight crew asked for police officers and emergency medical teams (EMTs) to be waiting when the aircraft arrived.
The pilot told controllers he did not know what had sparked the incident, but indicated the passenger may have been in the midst of a mental health emergency and said police might be needed “just as a precaution” to support EMTs.
An American Airlines flight landed safely after an unruly passenger accused of biting another traveler was reported to be experiencing a medical emergency onboard. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)
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“Can you pass along, we need EMTs as well as law enforcement,” the pilot said.
“I don’t know… if he’s hallucinating,” he added.
American Airlines confirmed to News Agency on Monday that the passenger experienced a medical emergency and was assisted by a medical professional onboard before the flight landed.
Additional medical personnel also met the passenger after the aircraft arrived.
“Medical personnel met American Airlines flight 3046 at the gate for a customer experiencing a medical emergency,” the airline said. “We appreciate the actions of our team members and the medical professional on board who assisted the customer as the flight arrived safely at Philadelphia (PHL).”
An American Airlines flight crew requested EMTs and police after a passenger allegedly bit another traveler and tried to fight others before landing in Philadelphia. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images)
The brief exchange between the pilot and air traffic controller ended on a lighter note, with the controller wishing the pilot a happy Father’s Day.
“What a day, huh?” the pilot said in the audio recording.
“I’ll be sure to tell my daughters about this one.”


