PHOENIX (CBSDFW.COM/AP) – Two women were arrested after authorities said one of them spat at a passenger asking them to stop using races in their conversation, leading to an argument that caused the flight was diverted from Dallas-Fort Worth.
According to American Airlines, the flight was on its way to Los Angeles when it was diverted to Sky Harbor International Airport at about 17:15 on Thursday due to an altercation on the flight.
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When the flight landed, Phoenix police officers arrested Kelly Pichardo, 30, and Leeza Rodriguez, 29, both of the Bronx, New York, and verbally assaulted other passengers and crew members.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the women were using racial rights when a male passenger asked them to use the language. Pichardo allegedly spat at the man, who then began recording them. Fortune said Rodriguez then struck the man’s hand to stop him from recording.
Rodriguez is facing charges of assault and disorderly conduct and Pichardo is facing charges of disorderly conduct.
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American Airlines has released a statement on the incident:
On its way from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX), American Airlines’ flight 776 to Phoenix (PHX) was diverted due to a dispute with the customer. Upon arrival, local law enforcement encountered the flight which removed two individuals and arrested them for verbally and physically assaulting other clients and flight crew members. Their behavior was disturbing and unacceptable, and they were placed on the internal garbage list pending further investigation. We continue to investigate this incident and work directly with affected customers to ensure their well-being. We thank our crew members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation.
The flight continued to Los Angeles and arrived without further incident.
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