Photo: AFP
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A passenger who's accused of trying to break into an airplane cockpit, then jumping from the moving plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport, pleaded not guilty today to a federal charge.
Luis Antonio Victoria Dominguez of La Paz, Mexico -- who broke his leg when he landed on the tarmac on June 25 -- pleaded not guilty to interference with flight crew members and attendants.
A Sept. 21 trial date was set for the 33-year-old defendant, who underwent surgery on his leg, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Victoria Dominguez was a passenger on United Airlines flight 5365, operated by SkyWest Airlines, that was scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. Soon after the plane pushed back from the gate, he “sprinted'' to the front of the aircraft past a seated flight attendant and “began banging on the cockpit door and manipulating the locked doorknob,'' according to an FBI affidavit that was filed with the criminal complaint in Los Angeles federal court.
When he failed to gain entry to the cockpit, he pushed past the flight attendant and went to the emergency exit on the right side of the plane, where he managed to partially open the door, causing the emergency slide to partially deploy, the affidavit states. While a nearby passenger attempted to restrain him, Victoria Dominguez managed to get away and jump from the aircraft, missing the emergency slide, according to court papers.
“Once Victoria Dominguez landed on the tarmac, he began crawling away from the aircraft. His right leg appeared broken,'' the affidavit states.
The charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.
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