The FAA is suing a Texas woman to collect a fine issued for her behavior on a flight in 2021. Heather Wells, 34, flew American Airlines from San Antonio to DFW Airport and was on a connecting flight to Charlotte when the FAA says she became unruly.
"The FAA alleges the passenger threatened to hurt the flight attendant that offered help to the passenger after she fell into the aisle," the agency wrote in a statement. "The passenger then pushed the flight attendant aside and tried to open the cabin door. Two flight attendants tried to restrain the passenger, but she repeatedly hit one of the flight attendants on the head. After the passenger was restrained in flex cuffs, she spit at, headbutted, bit and tried to kick the crew and other passengers. Law enforcement apprehended her in Charlotte."
The FAA announced Wells would be fined $81,950 for the incident, the biggest in the agency's history.
"It's one thing to be grumpy on a flight. I feel that way sometimes when I get canceled or delayed, but it's another thing to endanger flight crews and endanger fellow passengers," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on The View when announcing the fine in 2022. "We have no tolerance for that."
The FAA has filed a lawsuit against Wells to collect the fine. Tuesday morning, Wells did not have an attorney listed. The fine is a civil penalty; Wells was never criminally charged.
Last week, the FAA said it investigated 915 cases of unruly passengers from Jan. 1, 2024, through June 9. The agency said 106 of those were due to drunkenness.
"Travelers will pay for misbehaving. The FAA implemented a Zero-Tolerance Policy on Jan. 13, 2021, after seeing a disturbing increase in cases, issuing fines instead of warning letters or counseling," the FAA said.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube