FAA sues American Airlines passenger Heather Wells for $82,000 fine she never paid

US News

From Nicholas McEntire

An American Airlines passenger is facing significant turmoil for failing to pay the $82,000 fine she was given for her erratic behavior aboard a 2021 flight, including attempting to open the main cabin door during the flight and violence toward crew.

Heather Wells, 34, was sued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after failing to pay $81,950 in civil penalties for her conduct aboard American Airlines Flight 1774 from Dallas, Texas, to Charlotte, NC, between July 6 and 7, 2021.

Wells’ erratic behavior began after she was served a straight Jack Daniels during the beverage service about an hour into the flight.

“(Wells) became increasingly agitated and ‘wanted’ to get off the plane,” the lawsuit, obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, states. “She left her seat and began to move and/or run toward the rear of the plane before falling to her knees in the aisle.”

Wells, a business-class flyer from San Antonio, began talking incoherently to other passengers before crawling down the aisle back to the main cabin.

The crazed passenger was met by a flight attendant who tried to intervene, but Wells threatened to “cause pain” before pushing the flight attendant aside and continuing her way to the front of the plane.

She then tried to grab the handle of the cabin door, screaming and shouting insults.

It took two flight attendants and a passenger to restrain Wells. During the altercation, Wells punched one of the flight attendants several times in the head.

“Ultimately, the flight attendants and the passenger were able to restrain the defendant with tape and handcuffs and get her a seat,” the lawsuit continues.

“After being seated, the defendant continued to kick and spit and attempted to bite and head-butt a flight attendant and passengers. This required the defendant to be additionally restrained with duct tape to her seat and mouth, but even this could not stop her from screaming and swearing throughout the remainder of the flight.”

A video was posted on social media showing the woman with dyed green hair tied to a seat, her mouth taped shut and her arms tied behind her back.

During the flight, the pilots had radioed Charlotte to be ready for police upon arrival at the airport.

As the plane taxied to the gate, Wells managed to free her legs from the restraints and began kicking again. A passenger and a flight attendant were forced to restrain her until police officers boarded the plane.

Officials decided to let the remaining passengers off the plane before removing Wells.

“The defendant continued to kick violently and broke the seat in front of her,” the lawsuit states. “Ultimately, the defendant had to be sedated so that police and emergency personnel could remove her from the plane.”

According to the Express-News, Wells was hospitalized but was never charged.

The lawsuit alleges that Wells violated federal aviation regulations by attempting to gain entry to the aircraft cabin, obstructing the flight crew, threatening them, and posing an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or those on the aircraft.

She was subpoenaed to answer the lawsuit, which requires her to pay the $81,950 fine the FAA imposed on her in 2022. It is the largest fine ever imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This week, the Transport Authority announced that the number of cases of improper passenger traffic will continue to rise in 2024.

“From January 1, 2024, through June 9, 2024, there were 915 cases of undisciplined passengers, including 106 cases of passenger disruption due to intoxication,” the FAA said Wednesday. “Travelers will pay for their misconduct. The FAA implemented a zero-tolerance policy on January 13, 2021, after noticing a disturbing increase in cases, and issued fines in lieu of warning letters or counseling.”

Passengers who react improperly may face civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation.