By: Richard L. Smith
A Belgian national has been arrested for attempting to breach the cockpit and assaulting flight attendants during a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, in March 2024, U.S.
Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today.
Jan Daeninck, 43, of Belgium, faces multiple charges, including interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault and intimidation, assault, and abusive sexual contact on an airplane.
He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on March 31, 2024, shortly after takeoff aboard a Swiss International Airlines flight.
Daeninck reportedly approached a female flight attendant, grabbed her breasts, shook her, and yelled at her. After the flight attendant managed to escape, Daeninck attempted to force his way into the cockpit, repeatedly striking and kicking the cockpit door.
A male flight attendant tried to intervene, but Daeninck assaulted him, striking and kicking him in the head and upper body.
Flight crew members eventually restrained Daeninck near the cockpit for the remainder of the flight.
Due to the disturbance, the flight was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Daeninck faces up to 20 years in prison for interfering with the flight crew, up to one year for assault, and up to two years for abusive sexual contact, along with substantial fines for each offense.