A New Jersey man reportedly overdosed on a marijuana edible before trying to open the door of an American Airlines flight mid-air. The chaotic incident occurred on July 18, 2024, on Flight 2101 from Seattle to Dallas.
According to court documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, 26-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco allegedly engaged in a series of destructive acts that culminated in an attempt to breach the plane’s safety systems.
Witnesses said a flight attendant made sexual advances to Gapco. After the flight attendant refused, Gapco became increasingly agitated and began to behave in a certain manner.
Passengers and crew members described a chaotic scene in which Gapco ignored repeated requests to stay in their seats. He reportedly vaped on the plane, locked himself in the toilet and tried to open the plane’s exterior door.
The situation escalated to the point where the crew and several passengers had no choice but to use flexible restraints to restrain the Gapco until they landed safely in Salt Lake City. Law enforcement was waiting to arrest him after the plane landed at Salt Lake City International Airport.
More from the Dallas Morning News:
According to court documents, Gapco initially told arresting officers he was not on drugs and later said he had eaten about 10 marijuana edibles and was unsure of the THC content. Records show Gapco may have self-reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reportedly tried to give another passenger a bag of unknown pills.
Gapco was also accused of failing to comply with instructions to stay in your seat, repeatedly making loud noises and disturbing other passengers. A lawyer for Gapco did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority,” American Airlines told The Dallas Morning News in an emailed statement. “We appreciate the professionalism of our team members and our customers’ understanding.”
Gapco allegedly broke the glass in a holding cell at the airport and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to a Salt Lake County affidavit. He repeatedly yelled at nurses, doctors and others, said profanities and spat in a police officer’s face, records said.
Gapco faces misdemeanor and two felony charges for his alleged conduct at the airport, and bail is set at $2,000, according to court records. Records show he was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on July 19.
Video footage shows Gapco taking off his shirt and yelling, “I’m sane!” while crew members tried to calm him down. As he was escorted off the plane, he declared, “Donald Trump 2024, or Joe Biden, I don’t mind — I’m the new generation.”
watch:
Latest news: New Jersey man ate 10 servings of food after trying to open door of American Airlines flight after being rejected for sex with flight attendant
“Trump 2024,” the man said as he was escorted off the plane.
Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, was arrested after… pic.twitter.com/srgKZ4emPW
— Colin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 3, 2024
