Passenger Assaults Flight Attendants, Disrupts Flight to Miami

A Georgia man is facing federal charges after a violent outburst aboard an American Airlines flight bound for Miami. Delange Augustin, 31, is accused of attacking flight attendants, damaging property, and causing significant disruption to the flight, forcing it to return to its origin airport. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, has left flight attendants shaken and passengers delayed.

According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Augustin has been charged with interfering with flight crew members, a federal offense that carries significant penalties. In addition to the federal charge, he also faces multiple state charges, including battery, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, and criminal damage to property.

The American Airlines flight, operated by Envoy Air, had just departed Savannah for Miami when the situation unfolded rapidly. Initially, no unusual behavior was observed. However, less than a minute after takeoff, a flight attendant noticed Augustin exhibiting what appeared to be a medical episode, possibly a seizure. Witnesses described him as stomping, yelling, shaking, and being incoherent.

As a flight attendant approached to assist, Augustin allegedly turned and kicked the crew member forcefully in the chest. The impact sent the flight attendant reeling across the aisle, colliding with a window. The flight attendant reported experiencing pain and difficulty breathing for several minutes following the assault.

The flight attendant who initially observed Augustin’s behavior noted that while it initially seemed like a medical issue, his subsequent actions appeared deliberate, though difficult to fully comprehend. Both flight attendants involved in the incident expressed feeling scared and threatened by Augustin’s behavior.

Upon hearing the commotion, the pilots consulted with the flight attendants and decided to turn the plane around and return to Savannah. While the crew was discussing the situation, Augustin’s behavior reportedly escalated. He began punching and kicking the seat and passenger in front of him. The continued kicking eventually caused the seat to collapse.

The announcement that the plane was returning to Savannah seemed to briefly calm Augustin. However, upon landing and taxiing to the gate, he disregarded instructions to remain seated. According to the complaint, he unbuckled his seatbelt and "stormed the front" of the plane, clutching his sister, who was traveling with him.

Reaching the front of the aircraft, Augustin allegedly cornered a flight attendant in the galley and launched a series of punches, described as "haymakers." At least one of the punches struck the crew member’s upper arm. Three passengers intervened, pulling Augustin to the ground and subduing him until authorities arrived.

Airport police boarded the plane and took Augustin into custody. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital for evaluation, both for his erratic behavior and for the reported ingestion of rosary beads. After being discharged from the hospital, he was taken to the Chatham County Detention Center.

The two flight attendants involved in the incident were evaluated by EMS personnel at the airport. While they declined hospital transport, they reported experiencing "fear, terror, shock, and physical pain." They also expressed the belief that Augustin had specifically targeted them with the intent to cause harm.

The flight to Miami eventually resumed after a three-hour delay for refueling and to allow for a new crew. American Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the incident, stating that safety and security are their top priorities and thanking the crew and passengers for their understanding.

Federal authorities interviewed Augustin’s sister following the incident. She revealed that they were traveling to Haiti to escape what she described as "religious attacks of a spiritual nature." She further stated that "the evil comes out in the darkness" and that she had "never experienced as much darkness as was on the plane that evening."

She also told authorities that she was not surprised her brother had hurt people, explaining that "he hurts evil." According to the complaint, Augustin told his sister on the flight to "close her eyes and pray because Satan’s disciple(s) had followed them onto the plane and the legion did not want the Augustins to make it to Haiti."

Augustin also instructed his sister to "never let go so she could not be taken away" as she prayed "throughout the battle." His sister explained that Augustin swallowed the rosary beads because they are "a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare."

The sister maintained that Augustin was not suffering from any medical or mental health issues or impairment. She added that her brother "needed to fight" for both of them.

As of the latest reports, Delange Augustin remains in custody at the Chatham County Detention Center on a $5,150 bond. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and he faces potential prison time if convicted of the charges against him. The incident highlights the challenges faced by airline crews in dealing with disruptive passengers and the potential for violence in the confined space of an aircraft. The events have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the flight attendants involved and the other passengers who witnessed the unsettling episode. The case also raises questions about the role of mental health and spiritual beliefs in such incidents.