This United flight from Florida was just about to take off. Then came the pepper spray
A United Airlines flight out of Southwest Florida International Airport ran into some trouble Monday afternoon, but it had nothing to do with mechanical issues or lack of face masks.
A passenger on the plane from Fort Myers to Newark International accidentally discharged a can of pepper spray from his keychain shortly before takeoff, Fox 4 Now first reported.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement that the flight returned to the gate to let off anyone in distress. It took off to its destination a little over an hour later.
“On Monday, United Flight 1061 from Fort Myers, Florida to Newark, NJ returned to the gate due to a disruptive incident involving a customer prior to take off. Soon after, the flight safely departed for Newark.”
Pepper spray, a self-defense tool which can cause coughing, shortness of breath, a burning throat and gagging, is legal to store in your checked-in baggage, but not in carry-on.
The TSA told Fox 4 that agents had missed the can, considered a hazardous material, during the passenger’s check-in process.
“One 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2 percent by mass of tear gas are prohibited in checked baggage,” the agency says on its website.
It remains unclear whether the passenger with the noxious spray faced any charges.
This story was originally published February 26, 2021 at 11:24 AM.
