A first-class passenger on a United Airlines flight allegedly went wild after flight attendants refused to serve her more alcohol, biting one crew member and kicking her in the stomach before the plane was forced to make an emergency landing.
Kristina Kedysheva, 37, now faces federal charges following the chaotic incident aboard United Airlines Flight 18 from Milan, Italy, to Newark, New Jersey, on Sept. 8.
According to a criminal complaint, the FBI was notified around 11:40 a.m. that a “non-compliant” female passenger was allegedly assaulting flight attendants aboard the aircraft.
Kedysheva, a Russian citizen seated in first class, had reportedly already been served several alcoholic drinks when crew members decided to cut her off.
That decision allegedly did not go over well.
A lead flight attendant told investigators that Kedysheva became “loud and aggressive” after being told she would not receive any more alcohol.
She allegedly got out of her seat, ignored orders to keep her seat belt fastened and began recording members of the flight crew.
At that point, flight attendants decided she needed to be restrained.
But according to the complaint, Kedysheva did not go quietly.
Crew members and other passengers described as “able-bodied people” reportedly tried to help place her in restraints, but she allegedly “fought them off.”
During the struggle, one flight attendant said Kedysheva suddenly turned and bit her on the wrist.
The same attendant later tried to control Kedysheva’s legs, but the passenger allegedly kicked her in the upper stomach, knocking her down and injuring her shoulder.
Another crew member told investigators Kedysheva appeared intoxicated and had approached the flight deck four separate times asking for more alcohol.
The situation may have become even more alarming when a fellow passenger reportedly saw Kedysheva move toward an exterior door near the rear of the plane.
The witness told authorities they were unsure whether Kedysheva was actually trying to open the door, but grabbed her out of concern.
Kedysheva allegedly began yelling, prompting crew members to move in and restrain her.
With the disturbance escalating, the captain diverted the aircraft to Bangor International Airport in Maine.
The plane landed safely, and Kedysheva was taken into custody after officers met the aircraft.
Kedysheva later told investigators she had been traveling to New York for a friend’s 40th birthday party and admitted drinking three alcoholic beverages over several hours.
She reportedly blamed a female flight attendant for causing the confrontation and insisted she had done nothing wrong.
Kedysheva denied trying to reach for a plane door, threatening crew members or biting anyone.
She also said she did not remember scratching or fighting anyone, although she reportedly acknowledged that it was possible.
United Airlines confirmed that the flight diverted to Bangor because of an “unruly passenger” and said law enforcement removed the customer after landing.
Kedysheva currently faces one count of interference with a flight crew and one count of assault.
