Criminal charge against unruly American Airlines passenger, 36, is DROPPED: She says she was ‘going to restroom’ when she allegedly tried to breach cockpit over not being served her drink quickly enough – forcing pilot to make an emergency landing
The criminal charge against an American Airlines passenger, who allegedly tried to breach the cockpit because her drink wasn’t being served quickly enough, has now been dropped.
Tiffany Miles, 36, who was on the flight from Jacksonville, Florida, to Washington, DC prompted the airline to make an emergency landing in North Carolina after she reportedly became irritated when she couldn’t get her hands on an alcoholic beverage fast enough.
She was arrested on Wednesday and initially facing a misdemeanor of airport obstruction – that carries a jail sentence of 20 years.
But Miles was able to bond out of jail and on Friday learned from the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Police Department the the charge was dismissed.
She claims that she was going to the restroom – and not trying to storm the cockpit.
Miles said she was ‘relieved,’ but had to speak to her legal team. She added: ‘if no one is charging me now, then what is all the hoopla about?’
Tiffany Michelle Miles, 36, of Washington DC, caused American Airlines Flight 3444 from Jacksonville to DC to divert and make an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport shortly after 3.30pm on Wednesday
Miles reportedly became irritated that her alcoholic beverage wasn’t being served fast enough and attempted to breach the cockpit
The plane made an emergency landing in North Carolina
The police issued a statement: ‘After continued investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and review of eyewitness statements, plus in-depth consultation with the Wake County District Attorney, RDU law enforcement have dismissed the [charge].’
Fellow passenger Kara Rosario told ABC 11 that Miles, who was sitting in first class, became irritated that her alcoholic beverage wasn’t being served fast enough. She then tried to get into the cockpit before crew members attempted to calm her down.
Another passenger who heard the commotion walked up to help the crew ‘diffuse the situation’, according to Rosario, who was a few rows behind Miles.
‘She was upset because they weren’t serving her her beverage,’ Rosario said. ‘She was yelling that she paid for First Class and that she’s not getting her drink that she’s ordered.’
And that’s when the fellow passenger got up to help the crew.
‘He wasn’t a marshal at all or police officer just a citizen who was trying to help diffuse the situation,’ Rosario told ABC 11. ‘You could feel that we were in it together and were willing to do what was needed but the gentleman behind me was the first to get up and take matters into his own hands.’
Air Traffic Control audio from cockpit revealed Miles was walking around the cabin and attempted in gain entry to the cockpit.
‘Subject is currently on the loose in the cabin,’ the audio said. ‘And [Miles] is trying to breach the cabin. [Miles] is being somewhat restrained by the flight crew and other passengers.’
The pilot then asked for Miles to be ‘restrained’ as soon as the plane landed.
An Air Traffic Control operator later informed the crew that a ‘long gun crew is going to be on the outside, end of the aircraft.’
‘They’ll be standing by,’ he said.
A photo taken on the flight shows Miles being escorted off by four officers and she was arrested.
The airport had put a ground stop on arriving flights when Flight 3444 landed, but it was lifted around 4pm, according to WRAL News.
The FBI and the FAA are currently investigating the incident to determine if additional charges are needed.
No passengers were injured during the commotion and all were rebooked on different flights to Washington DC.
DailyMail.com has attempted to contact Miles for comment.
