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Northwest Airlines flight diverted to Billings due to unruly passenger
Associated Press

BILLINGS - A Northwest Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Boise, Idaho, made an unscheduled landing here Tuesday after an apparently intoxicated passenger became unruly and assaulted others on board, a federal aviation official said.

John Kinney, acting federal security director in Billings, said Flight 1279 landed at Billings Logan International Airport shortly after 1 p.m., and that a female passenger was removed and taken into custody. He said the flight was on the ground for nearly 11/2 hours before resuming.

Yellowstone County authorities identified the woman as Judith McKenith, 55, of Bergenfield, N.J. She was not immediately charged.

Kinney said the plane was over Montana when the passenger became "physically engaging" with others on board. He said one passenger asked her to settle down and the woman struck that person in the face.

He said the woman lashed out at about a half dozen others, including a flight crew member - kicking, biting and slapping them - before finally being subdued by passengers. Kinney said the woman also was combative with local police who took her into custody.

Billings Police Chief Ron Tussing said police helped remove the passenger but that the matter would be handled by federal officials.

Dan Vierthaler, supervisor for eastern Montana with the FBI, said his agency responded, but that he could not comment at length. He said he was unsure what charges, if any, may be filed.

The U.S. attorney in Billings did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

Kinney said no one on board required medical attention.