A 26-year-old man has been indicted following a series of alarming incidents aboard an American Airlines flight that compelled the aircraft to divert to Salt Lake City. Eric Nicholas Gapco is facing multiple charges after allegedly engaging in disruptive and life-threatening behavior during the flight from Seattle to Dallas.
According to investigators, Gapco’s misconduct included refusing to remain seated, propositioning a flight attendant for sex, vaping on the plane, and making multiple attempts to open the aircraft’s exterior door. His actions not only alarmed the crew but also disturbed other passengers, leading to a situation that escalated rapidly.
Court documents reveal that Gapco further exacerbated the situation by locking himself in the airplane bathroom. Flight crew members were ultimately forced to restrain him using flexible restraints to ensure the safety of everyone on board until the flight landed in Salt Lake City on July 18.
Upon landing, Gapco was arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Authorities reported that his erratic behavior did not cease with the landing; he continued to act violently, smashing the glass door of a holding cell while in custody.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah has charged Gapco with interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft under the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. These charges reflect the seriousness of his actions, which not only endangered the flight crew and passengers but also posed a threat to the safety of the aircraft itself.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident raises further questions about passenger behavior on commercial flights, especially in a post-pandemic travel environment where unruly incidents have become increasingly common. The airline industry continues to face challenges in maintaining safety even though some of the unprofessionalism comes from the airlines’ stewardess and staff.
