Belgian arrested for assaulting crew, cockpit crash on Newark flight – NBC New York

A Belgian man was arrested Monday for allegedly trying to enter the cockpit of a commercial airliner and assaulting flight attendants earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced.

Jan Daeninck, 43, from Belgium, is charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault and intimidation, one count of assault and one count of abuse of sexual contact on an aircraft. He made his first court appearance in Newark and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

Daeninck was a passenger aboard a Swiss International Airlines flight that departed Newark for Zurich, Switzerland, on March 31, 2024. Shortly after takeoff, Daeninck reportedly approached a female flight attendant, grabbed her breasts and shook her while yelling at her.

After the flight attendant escaped Daeninck’s grasp, he tried to enter the cockpit, repeatedly punching, kicking and punching the door.

A male flight attendant approached Daeninck, and when he failed to enter the cockpit, he allegedly attacked the flight attendant, punching and kicking him repeatedly, and hitting him in the head and torso with a closed fist.

Flight crew members were eventually able to keep Daeninck on the ground for the remainder of the flight, which returned to Newark Liberty International Airport.

If convicted, Daeninck faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of interference with crew members and escorts, a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $100,000 for assault by assault. or strike, and up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of abusive sexual contact.

Attorney information for him was not immediately available.