The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking a civil fine of nearly $ 27,500 against a passenger accused of hitting an air hostess in the face after he was asked to leave the plane.
The agency said Friday that a female passenger traveling on a Delta Air Lines flight from Miami to Atlanta started a word fight when she and her companion were asked to disembark from the flight after the male companion refused to wear a mask, The Associated Press reported.
The man also refused to fasten his seat belt or close his tray table, the agency said.
When the plane returned to its gate to let the couple leave, the news report reported, the woman apparently started yelling at passengers and the air hostess and finally hit her under her left eye.
The FAA did not identify the passengers involved in the incident, but did say that the woman had 30 days to respond to the fine, the AP reported. According to the FAA, the woman allegedly violated a federal regulation against assaulting a crew member.
The offense, according to the AP, could result in a civil penalty of up to $ 35,000.
Last month, the FAA announced tougher penalties for rioting passengers.