A Las Vegas-bound flight turned chaotic earlier this month when a disruptive passenger had to be restrained with duct tape midair. Now, a federal judge has ordered her detained pending trial after prosecutors described her as a danger to others.
What Happened Mid-Flight
The incident unfolded on Sept. 16, aboard an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Las Vegas.
According to court documents, passenger Ketty Dilone became increasingly erratic:
- Witnesses reported her standing up, pacing the aisle, and yelling.
- A flight attendant noticed her continuously recording the entire cabin, despite being asked to stop filming passengers and crew.
- Dilone allegedly threatened multiple flight attendants, shouting something like: “I will kill you [expletive]!”
- She also made aggressive gestures when crew members attempted to calm her down.
The Crew’s Response
As Dilone’s behavior escalated, the crew was forced to restrain her:
- Flex cuffs were placed on her wrists, and her seatbelt secured.
- A flight attendant then duct-taped her to her seat for added safety.
- Multiple passengers were moved away, while volunteers sat nearby to help monitor her.
- Flight attendants had to stand watch over Dilone during descent, preventing them from completing normal landing preparations.
The flight ultimately landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where federal officials arrested Dilone.
Judge Orders Detention
Two days later, on Sept. 18, Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah ruled that Dilone should remain in custody pending trial.
In her order, the judge cited:
- Dilone’s recent criminal history
- The severity of her threats and actions on the plane
- Her conduct while in U.S. Marshals custody
“There are not currently any appropriate conditions that can be fashioned that would reasonably assure the safety of the community,” the judge wrote.
The Charges
On Sept. 20, a federal grand jury indicted Dilone on:
- Interference with a flight crew
- Assault
She is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 30.
