Man Assaulted Flight Attendants, Threatened Crew Before Being Subdued by Passengers on Flight to Newark

The incident escalated to physical threats as the man pinned a flight attendant to the exit door with his bare chest and punched an oven requiring passengers to intervene before landing at Newark Liberty Airport.

A Washington, D.C., man has been charged with interfering with flight crew members after an onboard incident that required passengers and crew to restrain him. The incident occurred on June 12, 2024, aboard a flight from Houston, Texas, to Newark Liberty International Airport, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Kedus Yacob Damtew, 38, appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., and faces one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Court documents and statements reveal that Damtew removed his shirt during the flight, pinned a flight attendant against the aircraft’s exit door with his chest, and shouted threats and epithets. He also punched an aircraft oven, followed the attendant to the rear of the plane, and threw a cup of water while continuing to issue threats.

The escalating situation prompted another flight attendant to call for help over the public address system. Passengers assisted in subduing Damtew with flex cuffs, securing him in the plane's last row until it landed.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI and the Port Authority Police Department for their roles in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs.

Damtew remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the charges are allegations at this stage.