Ohio Man Charged in 2016 Flight Crew Assault on Pittsburgh Flight

Dwight D. Allen, 55, of University Heights, Ohio, is facing federal charges for attacking and intimidating a flight attendant during a Delta flight from Pittsburgh to Columbus on December 17, 2016. The violent outburst forced the aircraft to turn back to the gate, disrupting travel and endangering crew and passengers.

According to a one-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Allen disregarded direct orders to remain seated, then attempted to force his way toward the cockpit and front galley. Flight attendants and fellow passengers had to physically restrain him as the plane returned to Pittsburgh International Airport under emergency protocols.

The indictment, announced by Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song, alleges Allen’s actions directly interfered with the flight crew’s ability to perform their duties. The charge of interfering with a flight crew carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Allen is scheduled to be arraigned on February 7, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Cynthia Reed Eddy. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting the case for the federal government.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County Police Department. Authorities say evidence includes witness statements, flight logs, and crew testimony detailing Allen’s aggressive conduct mid-departure.

An indictment is not a conviction. Dwight D. Allen is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case highlights the federal crackdown on air travel violence as agencies prioritize the safety of flight crews and passengers.

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