Drunk, unruly passenger on flight from Pittsburgh forces emergency landing
A jetliner traveling from Pittsburgh to Dallas on Sunday night made an emergency landing in Oklahoma City after a man acted aggressively toward passengers and crew members, according to authorities.
The Oklahoma City Police Department released body camera video showing Brandon Cordell Ganus, 32, of Weatherford, Texas, being escorted off an American Airlines plane shortly after 11:15 p.m. on June 15 at Will Rogers World Airport.
Passengers used a zip tie and duct tape to restrain Ganus, according to Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Ganus was “bellowing an obscenity laden tirade that could be heard throughout the plane” and reportedly struck a female passenger, according to the police report filed in support of the charges.
Arresting officers also noted that the smell of alcohol from Ganus was “overpowering” and that his eyes were red and watery and he had slurred speech..
While being escorted from the plane and through the terminal Ganus allegedly became agitated and started screaming obscenities and threatening the officers, police said.
Ganus was taken to the Oklahoma County jail on charges of simple assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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