Man Pees in Plane Aisle, American Airlines Flight Hijacked, Justice Department Says

An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing after an Oregon man allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the plane, New York authorities said.

The 25-year-old was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in connection with the mid-flight incident on July 3, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York wrote in a news release.

American Airlines said Flight 3921, operated by Envoy Air, was traveling from Chicago to Manchester, New Hampshire, when it made an emergency landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport “due to a disruptive customer,” according to a statement the airline released to People.

Niagara Frontier Transit Authority police responded to Gate 2 of the Buffalo, New York, airport following a report that a man “exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the aircraft while the aircraft was in flight,” according to prosecutors.

The plane was diverted to Buffalo, the statement continued, and when the flight landed, an officer boarded the plane and spoke to a flight attendant who said the man had exposed himself and urinated during the flight.

The passenger was taken into custody and escorted off the plane, prosecutors said.

After being arrested the same day, the man made his first court appearance and was released on his own recognizance, the statement said.

USA TODAY has reached out to American Airlines.

Prosecutors said the man faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.