A flight from Italy to New York was diverted to Maine after a reportedly intoxicated passenger allegedly tried to open an aircraft door and attacked a flight attendant.
Kristina Kedysheva, 36, was allegedly demanding more alcohol after drinking wine and whiskey aboard United Airlines Flight 18.
According to an FBI affidavit, she argued with crew, filmed them and refused orders to return to her seat. She then allegedly reached for a rear door handle.
Five crew members and passengers had to restrain her, the affidavit says. During the struggle, she allegedly bit a flight attendant and kicked them in the stomach, while another passenger was reportedly scratched.
The Boeing 777, carrying 274 passengers and 13 crew, diverted to Bangor, Maine, where Kedysheva was arrested.
She admitted drinking three glasses of red wine and a whiskey and cola, but denied biting anyone and disputed parts of the crew’s account.
She now faces charges of interfering with a flight crew member and assault.
The incident comes just days after another Newark-bound flight was diverted after a passenger allegedly became violent and had to be restrained with duct tape and zip ties.
Two major inflight disruptions in days — are unruly passengers becoming a bigger threat to airline safety?













