New Jersey Passenger Sparks In-Flight Panic
A New Jersey man, Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, was arrested for disruptive and life-threatening behavior on an American Airlines flight from Seattle to Dallas on July 18. Authorities described Gapco’s actions as “unruly,” including attempting to open the plane’s door mid-flight and propositioning a female crew member for sex.
Gapco’s erratic behavior escalated as he removed his shirt, inhaled from a vape pen, and verbally harassed crew members, prompting the flight to make an emergency landing. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah reported that Gapco’s actions included assaulting a flight attendant and attempting to open the plane’s door multiple times.
Excessive marijuana edibles blamed for behavior
The Delanco resident’s behavior was attributed to consuming too many marijuana edibles before the flight. Chaotic footage showed Gapco shirtless, shouting “I am sane!” as crew members tried to calm him near the plane’s lavatory. Passengers and crew eventually restrained Gapco by tying his hands and feet, securing him in a rear seat as the plane diverted to Salt Lake City.
Gapco was arrested at Salt Lake City International Airport. A criminal complaint detailed his refusal to follow flight crew instructions, use of a vape pen, locking himself in a lavatory, and attempting to open the aircraft’s exterior doors while in flight. A federal grand jury indicted Gapco on charges of interfering with a flight crew and attempting to harm an aircraft under US special aircraft jurisdiction. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.