Federal authorities have arrested an Alameda County man after he allegedly assaulted flight attendants while traveling from Orange County to San Francisco, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Charles Angel Salva, 30, of Fremont, was on a Frontier Airlines flight from John Wayne Airport to San Francisco International Airport on Monday when authorities say he pulled down an oxygen mask from the overhead bin shortly after takeoff and began yelling obscenities at flight attendants.
“We are all going to hell,” he said, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office. “This plane is going to crash!”
He then allegedly grabbed passengers and ran to the back of the plane as flight attendants tried to restrain him. Passengers helped restrain Salva using a seat belt after he slipped out of the flexible handcuffs.
Salva attempted to strangle one flight attendant and kicked another approximately six times in the leg, causing bruising and swelling, according to federal officials.
The affidavit also alleges that Salva said he was going to kill everyone.
The flight was diverted to Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County because flight attendants did not feel safe attempting to return Salva to his seat.
A passenger later told officials that Salva seemed claustrophobic and looked like he wanted to get off the plane.
Salva was arrested Wednesday and is charged with interfering with crew members and flight attendants, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
