A brazen attempt to breach the cockpit of a SkyWest Airlines flight taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday evening has left a Mexican national facing a federal charge.
Luis Armando Victoria Dominguez, 33, of La Paz, Mexico, allegedly approached the cockpit door, banging on it and trying to enter the restricted space.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Dominguez then opened an emergency exit and jumped to the tarmac, suffering a broken leg in the process.
The incident occurred on United Airlines flight 5365, operated by SkyWest Airlines, which was scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
Passengers reported that Dominguez ‘sprinted’ to the front of the aircraft past a seated flight attendant and began banging on the cockpit door and manipulating the locked doorknob.
When he failed to gain entry to the cockpit, Dominguez pushed past the flight attendant and made his way to the emergency exit, where he partially opened the door, causing the emergency slide to partially deploy.
However, he managed to get away and jump from the aircraft, missing the emergency slide and landing on the tarmac with a broken leg.
Victoria Dominguez underwent surgery for his injuries and is expected to make his initial appearance later this week in United States District Court.
The charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI is investigating the incident with the assistance of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Solomon Kim of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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