FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A passenger on US Airways flight 1697 from Charlotte to Fort Myers, Florida had to be restrained and placed in hand ties after attacking the flight crew, according to an airline employee.
The flight, which departed from Charlotte at 4:21 p.m. and arrived shortly after 6 p.m., was greeted by police and EMS.
The woman was taken out of the airport by police once the plane arrived. She was observed by EMS in the terminal before being taken away. During that time, she was screaming and crying.
Peggy Albedhady-Sanchez, 50, of New Jersey was arrested and chargeed with three counts of battery and one count of interfering with an aircraft.
Passengers on board were shaken, but also praised the flight crew on how they handled the situation.
WNCN-TV NBC reporter Jonathan Carlson, who witnessed the aftermath in the terminal, spoke exclusively with members of the flight crew on board flight 1697.
They said Albedhady-Sanchez got out of her seat and attacked the flight crew, spitting in their faces, knocking a flight attendant to the ground and kicking the crew.
One female flight attendant had bruises and bandages up her arms, according to Carlson. Scratch marks could be seen on her as well.
The flight crew said a Lee County Florida sheriff's deputy happened to be on board the flight and helped tackle Albedhady-Sanchez.
Flight attendants said Albedhady-Sanchez complained of being scared of flying shortly before she became violent.
The same crew on flight 1697 flew the return flight to Charlotte later Tuesday night. They were shaken and looking forward to returning to North Carolina, according to Carlson.
That flight arrived safely in Charlotte around 9:30 Tuesday night.
US Airways told NewsChannel 36 that there was a passenger that caused a disturbance on the flight but that she had been detained by police in Fort Myers and all other questions would need to be answered by them.
WNCN contributed to this report.
