American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Passenger Allegedly Exposes Himself, Urinates in Aisle
American Eagle flight 3921 made the emergency landing on July 3 “due to a disruptive customer," the airline tells PEOPLE
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American Airlines planeAn American Airlines plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle, authorities said.
Neil McCarthy, 25, of Oregon, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in connection with the alleged incident on July 3, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York. He was released on his own recognizance after making an initial appearance in court that day, per the release.
In a statement to PEOPLE, American Airlines said American Eagle flight 3921, operated by Envoy Air, was traveling from Chicago to Manchester, N.H., when it made the emergency landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport “due to a disruptive customer.”
Police then boarded the aircraft and spoke with a flight attendant, who claimed that a man exposed himself and urinated in the aisle during the flight, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by PEOPLE. Authorities then escorted the man — later identified as McCarthy — off the plane and questioned him.
McCarthy allegedly told police during questioning that he enjoys drinking "Jack and Cokes" and had multiple before boarding his flight in Portland, Ore., and then several more during his layover in Chicago, the complaint states.
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McCarthy also claimed that when he returned to his seat after using the bathroom during the flight to New Hampshire, he was “flicking the bean” due to a “medical urination problem,” according to the complaint.
The complaint further states that police obtained a photo that a passenger took of McCarthy allegedly exposing himself on the plane.
According to American Airlines, the flight re-departed shortly after the emergency landing. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” its statement read.
Records show McCarthy is expected to appear in court for an attorney appointment hearing on July 25.
PEOPLE has reached out to a public defender listed for McCarthy on his online court docket but did not immediately hear back.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York, McCarthy faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, if convicted.
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