- Jan 7, 2002
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Passenger Accused Of Slapping Air Marshal
Woman Allegedly Refused To Get Off Cell Phone
A US Airways passenger slapped a federal air marshal after refusing to sit down and repeatedly ignoring orders to get off her cell phone, which she said would be "rude," federal prosecutors charged Tuesday.
A public defender was appointed to represent Lilia Belkova, who will remain in jail pending a bail hearing Thursday.
Belkova was charged with assaulting a federal officer and interfering with a flight crew after her Miami-Philadelphia flight returned to the gate last Wednesday to drop her off.
The trouble started when she refused orders to turn off her phone while Flight 26 was taxiing for takeoff, saying: "It is rude to hang up on people. I don't have to turn my phone off."
A flight attendant told her that she would need to change her seat if she couldn't follow instructions because she was sitting in an emergency exit row, which was open only to people who follow directions. She was sitting 11 rows ahead of her assigned seat.
Belkova, 38, responded that she was disabled and needed a wheelchair to reach the jet. The flight attendant said that was another reason for her to move because only people who could open the exit door were allowed to sit there.
Belkova said she could lift the 40-pound door and reached for the handle before other passengers yelled at her to stop.
The plane's first officer was notified and decided Belkova needed to get off the plane. Heading back to the gate, she stood up, walked forward and was told to sit down.
One of two air marshals on the flight told Belkova she was interfering with the crew, told her to be seated and put a hand on her shoulder to show her where to sit.
Belkova reached back and slapped the marshal across the face, causing "minor swelling," according to court papers filed by another marshal. Belkova was handcuffed and taken off the plane.
Woman Allegedly Refused To Get Off Cell Phone
A US Airways passenger slapped a federal air marshal after refusing to sit down and repeatedly ignoring orders to get off her cell phone, which she said would be "rude," federal prosecutors charged Tuesday.
A public defender was appointed to represent Lilia Belkova, who will remain in jail pending a bail hearing Thursday.
Belkova was charged with assaulting a federal officer and interfering with a flight crew after her Miami-Philadelphia flight returned to the gate last Wednesday to drop her off.
The trouble started when she refused orders to turn off her phone while Flight 26 was taxiing for takeoff, saying: "It is rude to hang up on people. I don't have to turn my phone off."
A flight attendant told her that she would need to change her seat if she couldn't follow instructions because she was sitting in an emergency exit row, which was open only to people who follow directions. She was sitting 11 rows ahead of her assigned seat.
Belkova, 38, responded that she was disabled and needed a wheelchair to reach the jet. The flight attendant said that was another reason for her to move because only people who could open the exit door were allowed to sit there.
Belkova said she could lift the 40-pound door and reached for the handle before other passengers yelled at her to stop.
The plane's first officer was notified and decided Belkova needed to get off the plane. Heading back to the gate, she stood up, walked forward and was told to sit down.
One of two air marshals on the flight told Belkova she was interfering with the crew, told her to be seated and put a hand on her shoulder to show her where to sit.
Belkova reached back and slapped the marshal across the face, causing "minor swelling," according to court papers filed by another marshal. Belkova was handcuffed and taken off the plane.
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