Unruly airline passenger arrested

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An airline passenger landed in federal court Thursday accused of throwing ice at passengers, groping a flight attendant and cursing.

Jacob Anthony Kline, 44, is charged with interfering with a flight crew. Police arrested the New Mexico man Wednesday at Charlotte-Douglass International Airport.

"It's a safety issue because we're not sure what the guy is capable of,” said pilot Sean Dickerson.

Dickerson was not a part of the American Airlines crew but said any pilot would have been worried.

“As soon as we get word that there's an unruly passenger onboard causing problems, we don't know if that guy can hurt some of our passengers," Dickerson added.

Soon after taking off from Dallas, Kline ordered a “rum & coke,” according to the FBI complaint. He then ordered a second and third drink while changing seats throughout the plane.

“Kline ordered a fourth drink but was now refused to be served by the flight crew,” reads the FBI affidavit. “He got a cup of ice which he started to throw at other passengers.”

Flight attendant’s tried to control Kline and that’s when he allegedly reached out and grabbed a female flight attendant’s buttocks.

"You cause problems on a plane, you are going to be arrested,” said Dickerson. “It's a federal offense.”

The pilot requested permission for a quick landing in Charlotte.

Another passenger described as “very large in size,” volunteered to sit next to Kline and told him to “be quite and sit still” until the plane landed.

Kline posted $25,000 bonds and awaits a new court date.