According to the FBI, 35-year-old Everett Chad Nelson repeatedly punched the victim in the face and head before another passenger intervened, pulling Nelson away from the injured traveler. The flight, which had 82 passengers and six crew members on board, was able to land safely, where paramedics and local law enforcement were ready to assist.
In a statement, United Airlines expressed gratitude for the quick action of the crew and other passengers: “Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was stopped after being physically aggressive toward another customer. The flight landed safely and was met by paramedics and local law enforcement.”
FBI affidavits detail that Nelson had left his seat at the rear of the aircraft to use a restroom before launching the unprovoked attack on the unsuspecting victim, who suffered significant injuries, including bruises around the eyes and a wound to the nose. Blood was reportedly found on the sleeve of Nelson’s windbreaker.
After the assault, Nelson was moved to a seat at the front of the plane, where he was monitored by other passengers until law enforcement could take control of the situation. The victim, whose identity has not been released, did not know Nelson prior to the incident.
A federal magistrate ruled that Nelson should remain in custody pending his trial, scheduled for December 11 in Alexandria, Virginia. The magistrate cited evidence against Nelson and his lack of stable employment and housing history as reasons for the detention.
This incident comes amid a surge in reports of unruly passengers on flights, with over 1,700 incidents reported this year alone, marking a trend of increasing in-flight disruptions compared to previous years. Although reports of unruly passengers declined in 2022, the numbers remain higher than those seen before the coronavirus pandemic.
