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DALLAS FORT WORTH- A husband’s swift action led to the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting his wife during an American Airlines (AA) flight to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).
The incident flagged by PYOK, detailed in recently filed court documents, reveals how the husband contacted the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center after receiving text messages from his wife about the assault.
Photo: Cado HandersonAmerican Airlines Passenger Assaulted
Indian-origin man, Bhaveshkumar Dahyabhai Shukla now faces charges of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.
The alleged assault occurred on American Airlines flight AA817 from Belgrade, Montana to Dallas-Fort Worth on January 26, 2025.
Photo: American AirlinesAccording to FBI investigators, the victim reported that Shukla initiated conversation after the in-flight service concluded, then began inappropriately touching her thighs, buttocks, and lower back while her young daughter sat nearby in the window seat. When confronted, Shukla temporarily stopped his behavior.
The victim attempted to defuse the situation by taking her daughter to the restroom. Upon their return, Shukla allegedly resumed touching the victim. As she turned toward her daughter protectively, Shukla reportedly placed a jacket over the victim to conceal his actions while continuing to touch her hip, thigh, and vagina.
Thanks to the husband’s alert to authorities, law enforcement officers awaited the aircraft upon landing. Police interviewed both the victim and suspect immediately after arrival. Despite having conversed in English with the victim and her daughter before takeoff, Shukla initially claimed not to speak English during questioning.
Dallas Police released Shukla while transferring the case to the FBI. Criminal proceedings against him began last week.
Photo: By Shinsuke Ikegame – Daily Photos in Vancouver, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3978829196 In-Flight Sexual Assault Cases in 2023
The FBI opened 96 cases stemming from in-flight sexual assault allegations in 2023, according to the agency’s most recent data. This troubling trend has prompted officials to issue warnings as travel season approaches.
“As warmer weather approaches and the travel season commences, the FBI expects to see an increase in reported sexual assaults,” warns Mehtab Syed, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.
The agency advises passengers to remain vigilant about their surroundings and implement safety measures while flying. Recommended precautions include keeping armrests down between seats and requesting seat changes if a neighboring passenger’s behavior creates discomfort.
Though victims can report incidents at any time, the FBI encourages travelers who feel comfortable to alert flight attendants immediately when inappropriate situations arise. Flight crew can relocate affected passengers to alternative seats and ensure law enforcement meets the aircraft upon landing at its destination.
Photo: Clément AlloingSimilar Incidents
Kedus Yacob Damtew was arrested Monday (December 9, 2024) on federal charges of interfering with flight crew duties after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant aboard United Airlines (UA) flight UA2732. The incident, which occurred on June 12, 2024, shortly before landing at Newark Liberty Airport, could result in a 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
Court documents filed in New Jersey district court detail how Damtew first engaged a flight attendant in conversation in the aircraft’s front galley before removing his shirt. He then allegedly pushed his bare chest against the crew member, pinning her against the exit door while shouting threats and epithets directly into her face.
The flight attendant managed to escape, though witnesses reported her face was covered in Damtew’s saliva from his aggressive screaming. After she sought help from colleagues at the rear of the aircraft, Damtew pursued her, continuing to make threats and throwing a cup of water at her.
Recognizing the danger, a rear cabin flight attendant used the public address system to call for assistance. A third crew member and several passengers responded immediately to help restrain Damtew with flex cuffs. His continued resistance during final approach created significant safety issues, as crew members could not properly secure the cabin or galley, leaving one emergency exit unattended.
Photo: Clément Alloing, Compounded by Aviation A2Z with screenshot from VideoKorean Air Passenger Attack Crew
A male passenger on Korean Air (KE) flight KE658 from Bangkok to Seoul attempted to open an emergency exit during a flight on November 8, 2024, prompting swift intervention from crew and fellow passengers.
Passenger Jackson Lee captured the nine-second incident on TikTok, showing the man in a white T-shirt repeatedly trying to turn the emergency exit door handle while pointing his phone at cabin crew. A female flight attendant quickly stepped in, resulting in a physical struggle before other crew members and a male passenger helped restrain the individual.
The incident reportedly occurred within an hour after takeoff on the Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Upon arrival at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, authorities took the disruptive passenger into custody for further investigation.
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United Airlines Pax Called Indian Family Crazy at Los Angeles Airport
The post American Airlines Passenger Assaulted by Indian-Origin Man on Flight appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
