Two F-16s under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command were scrambled today after the pilot of an AirTran flight from Atlanta to San Francisco reported an unruly passenger on board. The Boeing 737 with 132 passengers and crew on board was diverted to the Colorado Springs Airport.
An intoxicated passenger who was disruptive had locked himself in a bathroom, according to John McGinley, assistant director of the Colorado Springs Airport.
Friday evening, the FBI identified the passenger as Muhammad Abu Tahir, 46, of Virginia. If convicted of interference with a fight crew, Tahir faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. |