'Crazy' Flight Attendant Charged in In-Flight Outbursts
The flight attendant said she was “crazy” and a “train wreck," affidavit says.
— -- An American Airlines flight attendant told a federal air marshal she was “crazy” and a “train wreck” before allegedly assaulting him and another air marshal while on a plane destined for Frankfurt, Germany, according to an affidavit from one of the air marshals on the flight.
A complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina, indicates Joanne Snow is being charged with interfering with the flight crew members and attendants, and assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer or employee of the United States.
The court documents filed in federal court allege that American Airlines flight 704 was on the ground last week at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport preparing to depart for Frankfurt when several flight attendants told a federal air marshal that Snow was acting irrationally and was a concern for the safety and security of the flight.
Prior to the Nov. 23 takeoff, "several" crew members told the air marshal they had requested Snow be removed from her assignment on the flight because of her "erratic behavior," which American Airlines did not do, according to the affidavit.
Before the flight departed for Germany, Snow told the air marshal that she was "crazy" and a "train wreck," the affidavit reads.
While in-flight, Snow allegedly physically assaulted the lead flight attendant in the galley of the aircraft by slapping her in the face.
Less than an hour later, Snow allegedly shoved the air marshal several times while he was in his seat.
According to the affidavit, Snow later grabbed the collar of another air marshal who was in the back of the aircraft and uttered nonsensical things.
Later in the flight, the apparently unstable flight attendant allegedly struck one of the law enforcement officers in the chest, knocking him backwards.
ABC News has been unable to reach Snow.
Nothing in the court documents indicate the plane had issues arriving in Frankfurt or that any passengers outside of crew members or air marshals were threatened.
On the return flight a day later, American Airlines flight 705, Snow was still assigned to the flight and acted "mentally unstable" during its entirety, according to the affidavit.
Court documents do not indicate Snow physically assaulted or threatened anyone on this flight.
After the return flight landed in Charlotte, one of the air marshals assigned to the flight allegedly saw Snow attempting to bypass the passport control officer and enter the airport.
The air marshal says he had to physically place himself in front of Snow to prevent her from going further. The law enforcement officer detained her, but when he tried to take her to an interview room, he says she became non-compliant, laying down on her side on the floor and then kicking his legs. The affidavit states that It took assistance from a number of other officers to allow him to take the flight attendant to the interview room.
American Airlines told ABC News, "We are aware of the incident, along with the subsequent criminal complaint, and take this matter very seriously. We are cooperating fully with federal law enforcement in their investigation, and are working directly with our employees. The safety and security of our customers and employees is always the top priority."
