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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City Friday after a passenger stripped, put his clothes back on and then tried to open an emergency exit door before being subdued by members of a Major League Soccer team and others, the FBI said.
Members of the New England Revolution were among those who grabbed the man near an exit door, FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said. Tie wraps were placed on the man, whose name was not immediately released, and he was taken off the flight in Oklahoma City and placed under mental evaluation, Johnson said.
American Flight 725, a Boeing 757, arrived in Oklahoma City at 1:35 p.m. CDT and was back in the air an hour later on the way to Los Angeles, said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines.
The trouble began when a man on the flight emerged from a bathroom without his clothes on, Johnson said.
"He was asked to go back to the bathroom to put his clothes on and he did and went back to his seat and then allegedly attempted to open an aircraft emergency exit door," Johnson said.
"Members of the Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution, were on the flight. They were able to subdue him. The pilot diverted the plane to Will Rogers World Airport.
"He was taken into custody by the Oklahoma City Police Department and taken to a crisis center for a mental evaluation."
The airplane had 151 passengers and seven crew members aboard.
The New England Revolution plays Chivas USA at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday evening. |
