TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man was physically removed from a plane Tuesday at Tampa International Airport after hurling insults, antagonizing passengers and flight attendants, and threatening to "take this plane down," according to an arrest report.
Flight attendants told police they were boarding passengers on an American Airlines flight to Philadelphia just before 5:30 p.m. when they were alerted about an unruly passenger in the jet bridge. That's when 29-year-old Shail Patel walked into the plane, yelling at passengers up and down the aisle and "acting aggressively," the report says.
According to a flight attendant, Patel said, "They always treat me differently, people with skin like you!!!."
Another witness reportedly heard Patel say, "F--- you, blue-eyed white devils. I'm gonna take this plane down with all you mother f------ on it!" as he became increasingly aggressive with passengers and flight attendants.
After failed attempts to calm Patel down or get him to leave the plane, flight attendants made an announcement on the plane's PA system asking for help from any law enforcement officers onboard.
Six off-duty officers were able to physically restrain Patel and remove him from the plane while they waited for Tampa International Airport police officers to respond.
Detectives spoke with Patel's father who told them his son was taking medication and drinking at the bar before the flight.
He "stated Patel thought he overheard a passenger make racial remarks which caused him to become upset and yell," the arrest report says.
Patel was arrested and charged with disorderly intoxication and two counts of battery.
American Airlines told 10 Tampa Bay, "The flight incurred a 30-minute delay due to the incident."
"We thank our team for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," the airline said.
