Flight from New York to Chicago diverted due to passenger

AP logo
Friday, January 8, 2016
Flight from New York diverted due to unruly passenger
ABC News' Marci Gonzalez has the details.

ROMULUS, Mich. -- The FBI says a rowdy passenger on a flight from New York to Chicago was restrained with a belt, necktie and apron after demanding to get off the plane.

United Airlines flight 3461, operated by Shuttle America, was diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and landed about 8 p.m. Thursday. Brenna Farquharson was arrested and charged with assaulting a crew member.

The 22-year-old woman is expected to appear in federal court Friday. She doesn't have an attorney yet.

In a court filing, the FBI says Farquharson scratched a flight attendant's lip and pulled a necklace and employee badge off her after she "frantically requested" to get off the plane, 30 minutes into the flight.

The plane had 69 passengers and four crew members. It arrived in Chicago about an hour late.