An American Airlines flight bound for Guyana turned around and landed back at Miami International Airport on Thursday evening after a passenger allegedly threatened a flight attendant during the climb after takeoff.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 flew a figure-eight pattern for several minutes before returning safely, according to radio transmissions between the crew and air traffic control. A crew member told controllers that the man rushed the flight attendants at the back of the plane as it climbed out.
Air traffic control audio indicated the passenger made a verbal threat toward a crew member. One crew member said the words were, “I will take care of you when we land in Guyana,” delivered in a threatening manner.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded after an initial report that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant. Investigators later determined the incident was a verbal dispute, not a physical assault.
The passenger left the aircraft at the gate without incident. Authorities said he was rebooked on a different flight.
