<p>A US-bound passenger plane was forced to return to Japan after a man bit a female attendant mid-flight on Tuesday (Jan 16). The All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight took off at 9:47 pm local time and was scheduled to land in Seattle 10 hours later. But, as per the data from a flight tracking website, the plane returned to Japan’s Haneda Airport three hours later. The suspect has been identified as a 55-year-old American citizen, but his name was not revealed by the authorities. The man was handed over to local police soon after the plane touched down. The man was arrested on assault charges.</p>

<p>"While flying over the Pacific Ocean, a passenger who was heavily intoxicated bit the arm of a female cabin attendant prompting the plane to return to Tokyo Haneda airport," a spokesperson for All Nippon Airways was quoted as saying by NBC News Thursday (Jan 18).</p>

<p>According to local media, the man told police that he had taken sleeping pills and didn’t remember exactly what transpired on the flight. The plane had 159 passengers onboard when the incident happened and was flying over the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<h2><strong>Third incident involving ANA within a week</strong></h2>

<p>It is the second incident involving All Nippon Airways within days. On Saturday (Jan 13), a domestic ANA flight had to return after a crack was discovered in the window of the cockpit. "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurisation," an ANA spokesperson later clarified.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US bound plane returns to Japan after 'drunk' man bites crew member</strong></p>

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<p>On Sunday (Jan 14), an ANA aircraft came into "contact" with a Delta Air Lines plane at the Chicago airport in the United States, the Japanese airline told AFP. No one was injured in the incident.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous instances of passengers causing chaos in cabin</strong></h2>

<p>In July 2022, a woman reportedly hit, bit and spit at cabin crew on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Charlotte, prompting the USA’s Federal Aviation Administration to issue a $81,950 fine.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-cathay-pacific-and-korean-air-planes-collide-on-airport-680571"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Japan: Cathay Pacific and Korean Air planes ‘collide’ on airport runway</strong></a></p>

<p>The same month, another woman attempted to hug and kiss another passenger and bit a passenger several times on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta, the FAA said. The woman was fined $77,272. The two incidents saw the largest-ever fines issued by the FAA in the US.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A US-bound passenger plane was forced to return to Japan after a man bit a female attendant mid-flight on Tuesday (Jan 16). The All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight took off at 9:47 pm local time and was scheduled to land in Seattle 10 hours later.

A US-bound passenger plane was forced to return to Japan after a man bit a female attendant mid-flight on Tuesday (Jan 16). The All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight took off at 9:47 pm local time and was scheduled to land in Seattle 10 hours later. But, as per the data from a flight tracking website, the plane returned to Japan’s Haneda Airport three hours later. The suspect has been identified as a 55-year-old American citizen, but his name was not revealed by the authorities. The man was handed over to local police soon after the plane touched down. The man was arrested on assault charges. "While flying over the Pacific Ocean, a passenger who was heavily intoxicated bit the arm of a female cabin attendant prompting the plane to return to Tokyo Haneda airport," a spokesperson for All Nippon Airways was quoted as saying by NBC News Thursday (Jan 18). According to local media, the man told police that he had taken sleeping pills and didn’t remember exactly what transpired on the flight. The plane had 159 passengers onboard when the incident happened and was flying over the Pacific Ocean. Third incident involving ANA within a week It is the second incident involving All Nippon Airways within days. On Saturday (Jan 13), a domestic ANA flight had to return after a crack was discovered in the window of the cockpit. "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurisation," an ANA spokesperson later clarified. Watch: US bound plane returns to Japan after 'drunk' man bites crew member × On Sunday (Jan 14), an ANA aircraft came into "contact" with a Delta Air Lines plane at the Chicago airport in the United States, the Japanese airline told AFP. No one was injured in the incident. Previous instances of passengers causing chaos in cabin In July 2022, a woman reportedly hit, bit and spit at cabin crew on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Charlotte, prompting the USA’s Federal Aviation Administration to issue a $81,950 fine. Also read: Japan: Cathay Pacific and Korean Air planes ‘collide’ on airport runway The same month, another woman attempted to hug and kiss another passenger and bit a passenger several times on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta, the FAA said. The woman was fined $77,272. The two incidents saw the largest-ever fines issued by the FAA in the US. (With inputs from agencies)

Passenger bites female attendant mid-flight, forcing plane to return to Japan

<p>An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight bound for the US was forced to return to Tokyo after a 55-year-old intoxicated passenger, believed to be American, bit a cabin attendant mid-flight. The assailant, heavily drunk, bit&nbsp;the crew member's arm, causing mild injuries.</p>

<p>This&nbsp;prompted the plane, carrying 159 passengers, to reverse course over the Pacific and land at Haneda airport, where the unruly passenger was handed over to the police.</p>

<p>The intoxicated passenger's assault on the cabin attendant raised concerns about in-flight safety. The crew member suffered injuries when the assailant bit her during the episode. The severity of the situation compelled the pilots to make the decision to turn back to Haneda airport, where law enforcement took custody of the disruptive passenger.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qantas-airways-issues-full-refund-after-passengers-allege-10-hour-flight-sitting-in-urine-680914">Also read |&nbsp;Qantas Airways issues full refund after passengers allege 10-hour flight ‘sitting in urine’</a></p>

<h2><strong>Passenger's hazy memory</strong></h2>

<p>Reportedly, the 55-year-old passenger, when questioned by investigators, claimed to have no recollection of his behaviour. The lack of awareness about the incident adds a layer of mystery to the episode, leaving authorities to piece together the events leading up to the mid-flight altercation.</p>

<p>Social media users reacted to the incident with a mix of mock horror and concern. Some likened the episode to the "beginning of a zombie movie," highlighting the bizarre nature of the in-flight attack.</p>

<p>Additionally, the incident comes amid a series of aviation mishaps in Japan, including a near-catastrophic collision at Haneda and other incidents involving Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, and Delta Air Lines.</p>

<p>Japan has witnessed several noteworthy aviation incidents within a short timeframe, heightening concerns about safety. The near-catastrophic collision at Haneda and other mishaps involving wing tips, contact between planes, and cockpit window issues have garnered attention. Aviation experts weigh in on potential contributing factors, including airport infrastructure challenges and extreme weather conditions.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Fog engulfs northern India</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight bound for the US was forced to return to Tokyo after a 55-year-old intoxicated passenger, believed to be American, bit a cabin attendant mid-flight.

An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight bound for the US was forced to return to Tokyo after a 55-year-old intoxicated passenger, believed to be American, bit a cabin attendant mid-flight. The assailant, heavily drunk, bit the crew member's arm, causing mild injuries. This prompted the plane, carrying 159 passengers, to reverse course over the Pacific and land at Haneda airport, where the unruly passenger was handed over to the police. The intoxicated passenger's assault on the cabin attendant raised concerns about in-flight safety. The crew member suffered injuries when the assailant bit her during the episode. The severity of the situation compelled the pilots to make the decision to turn back to Haneda airport, where law enforcement took custody of the disruptive passenger. Also read | Qantas Airways issues full refund after passengers allege 10-hour flight ‘sitting in urine’ Passenger's hazy memory Reportedly, the 55-year-old passenger, when questioned by investigators, claimed to have no recollection of his behaviour. The lack of awareness about the incident adds a layer of mystery to the episode, leaving authorities to piece together the events leading up to the mid-flight altercation. Social media users reacted to the incident with a mix of mock horror and concern. Some likened the episode to the "beginning of a zombie movie," highlighting the bizarre nature of the in-flight attack. Additionally, the incident comes amid a series of aviation mishaps in Japan, including a near-catastrophic collision at Haneda and other incidents involving Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, and Delta Air Lines. Japan has witnessed several noteworthy aviation incidents within a short timeframe, heightening concerns about safety. The near-catastrophic collision at Haneda and other mishaps involving wing tips, contact between planes, and cockpit window issues have garnered attention. Aviation experts weigh in on potential contributing factors, including airport infrastructure challenges and extreme weather conditions. Also watch | Fog engulfs northern India (With inputs from agencies)

US-bound flight diverts to Japan as ‘heavily drunk’ passenger bites cabin crew

<p>In what can become another bad PR day for Boeing after the recent Alaska Airlines incident, one of its 737 planes had to return to an airport in Japan after a crack was found in the cockpit window. The Boeing 737-800 plane, being operated by All Nippon Airways, was to travel from Sapporo to Toyama.</p>

<p>However, shortly after take-off from Sapporo-New Chitose airport, the crack in the cockpit window was seen. Reuters cited an airline spokesperson who said that the crack was found on outermost of the four layers of cockpit windows. The plane was soon turned back and made a landing at Sapporo.</p>

<p>"The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurisation," the ANA spokesperson said, as quoted by Reuters.</p>

<p>At the time, there were 59 passengers and six crew in the plane. The aircraft involved in the incident was not a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane.</p>

<p>Boeing 737 MAX 9 is currently in news and also a matter of official investigation in the US after the Alaska Airlines incident last week.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened in Alaska Airlines incident?</strong></h2>

<p>On January 5, a door plug of the fuselage of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 fell off shortly after it took off from international airport in Portland, USA. This caused panel of the plane's body to fall off while it was still thousands of feet above the ground. Depressurisation of the cabin soon followed and objects began being sucked out of the plane through the gaping hole.</p>

<p>Fortunately, the pilots were able to control the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Oregon, Portland. There were no casualties or major injuries among the travellers and the crew.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Boeing CEO: Will make sure mistake "can never happen again"</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Boeing's 737 series and the 'series of mishaps'</strong></p>

<p>Boeing's 737 plans have been associated with accidents and fatal crashes in recent years. After horrific crashes involving planes in the series, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was grounded across the world.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeings-mid-air-door-blowout-us-transportation-head-gives-no-timeline-for-return-of-737-max-9-planes-678987">Boeing's mid-air door blowout: US transportation head gives no timeline for return of 737 Max 9 planes</a></strong></p>

<p>Boeing's image, as well as its shares, have taken a hit, tanking by almost 40 per cent since 2019. The rival Airbus meanwhile has gained with its shares climbing 25 per cent in the same time period.</p>

<p>The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into Boeing following the Alaska Airlines incident.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In what can become another bad PR day for Boeing after the recent Alaska Airlines incident, one of its 737 planes had to return to an airport in Japan after a crack was found in the cockpit window.

In what can become another bad PR day for Boeing after the recent Alaska Airlines incident, one of its 737 planes had to return to an airport in Japan after a crack was found in the cockpit window. The Boeing 737-800 plane, being operated by All Nippon Airways, was to travel from Sapporo to Toyama. However, shortly after take-off from Sapporo-New Chitose airport, the crack in the cockpit window was seen. Reuters cited an airline spokesperson who said that the crack was found on outermost of the four layers of cockpit windows. The plane was soon turned back and made a landing at Sapporo. "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurisation," the ANA spokesperson said, as quoted by Reuters. At the time, there were 59 passengers and six crew in the plane. The aircraft involved in the incident was not a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane. Boeing 737 MAX 9 is currently in news and also a matter of official investigation in the US after the Alaska Airlines incident last week. What happened in Alaska Airlines incident? On January 5, a door plug of the fuselage of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 fell off shortly after it took off from international airport in Portland, USA. This caused panel of the plane's body to fall off while it was still thousands of feet above the ground. Depressurisation of the cabin soon followed and objects began being sucked out of the plane through the gaping hole. Fortunately, the pilots were able to control the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Oregon, Portland. There were no casualties or major injuries among the travellers and the crew. Watch | Boeing CEO: Will make sure mistake "can never happen again" × Boeing's 737 series and the 'series of mishaps' Boeing's 737 plans have been associated with accidents and fatal crashes in recent years. After horrific crashes involving planes in the series, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was grounded across the world. Also Read | Boeing's mid-air door blowout: US transportation head gives no timeline for return of 737 Max 9 planes Boeing's image, as well as its shares, have taken a hit, tanking by almost 40 per cent since 2019. The rival Airbus meanwhile has gained with its shares climbing 25 per cent in the same time period. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into Boeing following the Alaska Airlines incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan: Boeing 737 plane returns to airport after crack in cockpit window