An unnamed Australian flight was reportedly forced to make an emergency landing after a mid-air brawl allegedly broke out on the aircraft among a group of passengers.
The passengers allegedly began arguing on an April 20 flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt, which caused the flight to be turned around, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson confirmed in a statement to news.com.au. In video posted online of the first of two alleged fights, a group of passengers can be seen standing in the aisle of the aircraft before one of them raises what appears to be a glass bottle and seemingly strikes another passenger with it.
Departing Cairns today..
Just someone trying to glass someone.
More fighting amongst themselves. Complete disregard for other passengers and the plane. I wonder if there were any consequences. #VoteNO 🇦🇺 #VoiceToParliament pic.twitter.com/v5iKWbWRtM
— Jet Ski Bandit (@fulovitboss) April 20, 2023
The plane was forced to return to Cairns, Queensland, following the initial alleged brawl. “A female passenger was removed and charged with disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, common assault and failing to comply with safety instructions by cabin crew,” the spokesperson told the outlet. (RELATED: Watch Passengers Burst Into Song When ‘Drunk Karen’ Gets Kicked Off Flight)
When the flight took off again, the same group of unruly passengers allegedly started arguing a second time, leading to an altercation and an internal window getting smashed, news.com.au reported. Three passengers were taken into custody by Northern Territory (NT) police when the plane landed on the island of Groote Eylandt, according to the outlet.
Seriously unbelievable ( courtesy of the mango enquirer facebook page)
A flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt was forced to return mid-flight yesterday afternoon, after a fight broke out onboard the aircraft.
FIFO workers had to step in to assist flight staff quell the unrest.… pic.twitter.com/MWBZ4dTXyy
— Action for Alice 2020 – Darren Clark (@actionforalice) April 21, 2023
An unnamed 23-year-old man was charged with intentionally endangering the safety of others, aggravated assault, damage to property, disorderly behavior in a public place and contravening a domestic violence order, news.com.au reported. A 23-year-old woman, also unnamed, was charged with property damage, disorderly behavior in a public place and intentionally endangering the safety of others. The third unnamed passenger, 22, was charged with commercial drug supply, drug possession, hindering a member of the police, disorderly behavior and possessing liquor in a restricted area, according to the outlet.