American Airlines passenger caught on video punching flight attendant went crazy when told to wait for coffee – and also claimed there were ’10 killers on the plane’, according to officials and a witness.
Alexander Tung Cuu Le, 33, of Westminster, Calif., was charged with interfering with crew members and attendants for his collapse on the plane bound for Los Angeles on Wednesday, officials said.
“Le left his seat while the flight attendants performed the catering service. Le grabbed a flight attendant’s left shoulder from behind and asked for coffee,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said in a statement.
Moments later, Le allegedly grabbed both of the stewardess’ shoulders from behind.
“After the stewardess stepped back and put up a defensive posture, Le walked to the front of the plane,” the Feds said.
“The allegedly then loitered near the first class cabin and then sat down in an unoccupied aisle near the wall separating the first class cabin and the main cabin of the aircraft.”
“Another flight attendant approached Le and demanded that Le return to his assigned seat. fists with both hands,” he continued.
When the crew member went to report the disturbance to the captain, Le allegedly punched him in the head.
He was moved to another row while his hands and legs were tied.
“Le continually unbuckled his seat belt, causing flight attendants to restrain him in the seat with seat belt extenders,” the statement said.
A 30-second recording made by fellow passenger, Barrie Livingstone, shows a male flight attendant standing in the middle of the aisle and asking a passenger, “Are you threatening me?
The crew member then turns his back on the unruly passenger, who runs towards the employee from behind and punches him in the back of the head with a clenched fist.
A witness told ABC 7 Chicago the suspect also made a chilling remark before the assault – whispering that “there are 10 killers on the plane”.
American Airlines said the passenger “will never be permitted to travel with us in the future, and we will be working closely with law enforcement in their investigation.
“We thank our crew for their quick action and professionalism in ensuring the safety of their crewmates and customers on board. Our thoughts are with our injured flight attendant, and we are ensuring that they and their fellow crew members are getting the support they need right now,” the airline added.
The — who faces a maximum of 20 years in federal custody on the charges if convicted — is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles.
