Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘I’m going to stab everyone on this plane’: Woman arrested after allegedly kicking air marshal in drunken rage

Passenger lies about family having been killed by drunk driver

Helen Coffey
Tuesday 25 February 2020 11:18 GMT
Comments
Dana Mustafa has been accused of assaulting Federal air marshalls
Dana Mustafa has been accused of assaulting Federal air marshalls (Alexandria Sheriff's Office)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A woman was arrested after she threatened to “stab everyone on this plane” and allegedly assaulted a Federal Air Marshal during a flight.

Dana Mustafa, 27, from North Carolina was flying from Frankfurt, Germany, to Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. on 22 February when her behaviour started to cause concern.

She set off a smoke detector in one of the toilets after lighting up a cigarette, according to court documents.

After cabin crew told her smoking was not permitted, and instructed her to return to her seat, she became upset and started crying, reports Fox News.

Mustafa allegedly smelled of alcohol and told flight attendants she had been returning home to see family, but that they had been killed by a drunk driver – a claim she later admitted was false according to court documents.

She was later seen walking to the back the plane while striking up a lighter according to court documents.

When cabin crew tried to prevent her from entering the toilet, Mustafa allegedly pushed a flight attendant and tried to close the door.

Two Federal Air Marshalls who were onboard then intervened. Mustafa is accused of kicking them and refusing to comply, as well as resisting while being handcuffed.

Once restrained, Mustafa allegedly said: “I’m going to stab everyone on this plane. Then kill myself. I’m Palestinian! That’s how we get down.”

She added: “What’s the point of living?”

A half-empty bottle of vodka was later found in her bag.

Mustafa has been charged with assaulting a Federal officer and faces up to eight years in prison.

She appeared in federal court on 24 February but was released on bond. A preliminary hearing starts on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s not the first time an intoxicated passenger has caused a scene.

A 26-year-old woman has been jailed for two years after trying to open the door of a passenger plane in mid-air.

Chloe Haines was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday of endangering the safety of an aircraft and assaulting a member of cabin crew.

The air-rage incident occurred on board a Jet2 flight last June, which was flying to Dalaman in Turkey.

The aircraft was forced to return to the UK when Haines tried to open the door, forcing the RAF to scramble two Eurofighter Typhoon jets to intercept it.

Cabin crew member Charley Coombes suffered scratches as she fought to prevent Haines, who was yelling “I’m going to kill you all”, from opening the door.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in