American Airlines passenger swallowed rosary beads, attacked flight crew in crazed delirium

Disturbance on American Airlines Flight

An American Airlines flight to Miami was forced to turn around after a chaotic incident involving a passenger who believed demonic spirits had followed him onto the plane. The disturbance occurred shortly after the flight departed from Savannah, Georgia, on Monday night. The passenger, identified as Delange Augustin, 31, began acting erratically, yelling and shaking, which initially led the crew to think he was having a seizure. However, the situation quickly escalated when Augustin started swallowing rosary beads and violently kicked a flight attendant across the airplane aisle.

The Bizarre Turn of Events

The bizarre incident took a darker turn when Augustin reportedly ingested rosary beads in an attempt to ward off what he claimed were "Satan’s disciples" that had followed him onto the flight, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The New York Times. As flight attendants approached him to intervene, Augustin became increasingly aggressive, kicking one of them in the chest with such force that the attendant was thrown across the aisle and crashed into a window. The affidavit described Augustin’s behavior as "purposeful, though difficult to describe," highlighting the strange and unsettling nature of the incident.

The Aftermath and Confrontation

After the pilots learned of the disturbance, they made the decision to turn the plane around and land safely back in Savannah. However, Augustin continued to cause a commotion as the crew attempted to deboard the other passengers. In a dramatic turn of events, Augustin stormed to the front of the aircraft and threw several wild punches at another flight attendant. Passengers and crew members had to intervene, subduing Augustin and his sister, who was traveling with him, and restraining them on the ground. The incident ended with Augustin being taken into custody and later hospitalized after swallowing the rosary beads.

The Religious Motivation Behind the Chaos

According to the affidavit, Augustin’s sister told authorities that they were traveling to Haiti to "flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature." During the flight, Augustin had reportedly instructed his sister to "close her eyes and pray" because he believed "Satan’s disciples" had followed them onto the plane and were determined to stop them from reaching Haiti. His sister also explained that Augustin swallowed the rosary beads because he believed they were "a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare." This religious motivation adds a layer of complexity to the incident, suggesting that Augustin’s actions were driven by a deep-seated fear and belief in the supernatural.

The Consequences and Public Response

The incident concluded with Augustin being hospitalized for swallowing the rosary beads and later being booked into jail on several charges, including misdemeanor battery and criminal property damage. Remarkably, only about eight passengers were aboard the plane at the time of the outburst, and no one was seriously injured. American Airlines released a statement expressing gratitude for the professionalism of the crew and appreciation for the passengers’ understanding during the ordeal. The incident has raised questions about how airlines handle such situations and the measures in place to ensure passenger safety.

A Lesson in Human Resilience and Understanding

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of human behavior and the challenges faced by airline crews in ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers. While the details of the case are deeply unsettling, it also highlights the resilience and quick thinking of both the crew and the passengers who intervened to prevent further harm. As we reflect on this bizarre and disturbing event, it invites us to consider the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing the complex and often deeply personal struggles that individuals may face.