A man was charged with assault after hurting a flight attendant and another traveler on a flight last week.
Asterius Rulamka was a passenger on American Eagle Flight 5574 from Wichita to Washington, DC on March 5, an FBI special agent said in an affidavit.
As the flight was on its final descent, Rulamka went to the rear of the aircraft and started talking to one of the flight attendants, per the affidavit.
It adds that he started yelling at the crew member and threatened to "fuck him up" — as several passengers began filming the altercation on their phones.
Rulamka is then said to have noticed this, grabbing a passenger's arms and saying he was "going to fuck him up" as well.
The affidavit alleges he then took the passenger's hat and glasses before repeatedly hitting him, leaving him with bruising and a bloodshot eye.
It adds that the flight attendant got up to help and asked several passengers to get involved too, while another cabin crew member also provided assistance.
At one point, Rulamka swung at the flight attendant, but he managed to dodge him — although he suffered a small cut to his finger and a broken fingernail, per the affidavit.
It says Rulamka then started running up and down the cabin until three passengers and the flight attendants were able to restrain him in a seat for landing.
After the flight arrived at Washington Reagan National Airport, Rulamka said he had come to the capital to speak to President Donald Trump because he was "mad."
The defendant also has pending immigration proceedings.
He was charged with assault by striking, beating, or wounding. If found guilty, he could face a fine or a sentence of up to one year.
Law enforcement responded to "a disruptive customer" when the flight arrived at Regan National, an American Airlines spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We do not tolerate violence, and thank our team members for their professionalism."
