Passenger allegedly exposes himself, then urinates in aisle

AMERICAN EAGLE EMBRAER E175LR N217NN (MSN 170000515)

An American Airlines plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle, authorities said. Neil McCarthy, 25, of Oregon, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in connection with the alleged incident on the 3rd of July according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York. He was released on his own recognizance after making an initial appearance in court that day, per the release.

In a statement American Airlines said American Eagle flight 3921, operated by Envoy Air, was traveling from Chicago (ORD/KORD) to Manchester, N.H. (MHT/KMHT), when it made the emergency landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF/KBUF) “due to a disruptive customer.”

Police then boarded the aircraft and spoke with a flight attendant, who claimed that a man exposed himself and urinated in the aisle during the flight, according to a criminal complaint. Authorities then escorted the man — later identified as McCarthy — off the plane and questioned him.

McCarthy allegedly told police during questioning that he enjoys drinking "Jack and Cokes" and had multiple before boarding his flight in Portland, Ore., and then several more during his layover in Chicago, the complaint states. McCarthy also claimed that when he returned to his seat after using the bathroom during the flight to New Hampshire, he was “flicking the bean” due to a “medical urination problem,” according to the complaint.

The complaint further states that police obtained a photo that a passenger took of McCarthy allegedly exposing himself to passengers on the plane. According to American Airlines, the flight re-departed shortly after the emergency landing. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” its statement read.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York, McCarthy faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, if convicted.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: American Eagle

Code: MQ/ENY

Aircraft: Embraer E170LR

Registration: N771JV

Serial number: 17000087

Engines: 2 x GE CF34-8E5
First flew: 25/01/2006
Age: 17.5 Years