THUNDER BAY – NEWS – On Sunday night a Swoop Airlines flight headed to Hamilton Ontario had to make an emergency landing at the Thunder Bay International Airport.
Thunder Bay Police report that a Hamilton man faces numerous charges after causing a disturbance on the flight that led to an emergency landing in Thunder Bay.
Officers were dispatched to the Thunder Bay International Airport just before 9:30 pm EDT on Sunday, July 19, 2020, following a request to remove a passenger from a flight.
The Swoop Airlines flight was originally destined for Hamilton and had left Edmonton earlier on Sunday evening.
During the flight, a smoke alarm was triggered from the aircraft’s lavatory. When the flight crew responded to the alarm they observed a 47-year-old male exiting and returning to his seat. The flight crew also observed evidence the male had been smoking in the lavatory.
Police also learned the same male continued to cause a disturbance on the flight by interfering with the flight crew, swearing and insulting them.
Despite repeated requests for the male to stop, the behavior continued until the pilot was forced to divert the plane and perform the emergency landing.
Police took the male into custody so the flight could continue to its destination.
A 47-year-old Hamilton man is charged with Mischief Over $5,000, Smoking on Board an Aircraft, and Causing a Disturbance While Flying.
He is expected to appear in bail court in Thunder Bay today.
