A man accused of hitting and bleeding another passenger sleeping on a US flight

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) – A man is facing assault charges after an unprovoked attack on a fellow passenger who was sleeping on a cross-country flight this week, authorities say.

An FBI agent said Everett Chad Nelson punched the other man multiple times in the face and head, causing him to bleed, before another passenger pulled him away from the victim.

The attack on Monday’s United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia lasted about a minute.

“Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, a passenger was restrained when he became physically aggressive towards another customer,” United said in a statement. “The flight landed safely and was met by paramedics and local law enforcement.”

United said there were 82 customers and six crew members on board.

According to an FBI affidavit, Nelson left his seat at the back of the plane and used the restroom at the front of the plane before attacking the other man, who had bruises around his eyes and a cut on his nose. The sleeves of Nelson’s windbreaker were spattered with blood.

The agent said Nelson was moved to a seat at the front of the plane and was watched by a passenger who prevented the attack. There was no indication that Nelson knew the victim, who was not identified.

A public defender listed as Nelson’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A federal judge ruled that Nelson should remain in custody pending his trial, which is scheduled for December 11 in Alexandria, Virginia. The judge cited evidence against Nelson and his history of having no permanent employment or place of residence.

Were over 1,700 reports unruly passengers on planes this year, matching the increase in incidents last year. The number of unruly passengers increased in 2021, and although it decreased in the following two years, it was still higher than before the coronavirus pandemic.