Flight attendant disrupts flight with rant about fears of the plane crashing, American Airlines' bankruptcy and the 9/11 terrorist attacks

**Jenna** · 03-09-12, 05:05 PM

According to reports by passengers, the trouble began Friday morning as the plane taxied to the runway for takeoff. A flight attendant who had been giving preflight safety instructions began speaking incoherently over the intercom system, confusing and startling passengers.

The attendant said the plane had a mechanical issue and was going to return to the airport gate. However, other flight attendants interrupted and said there were no mechanical issues and that the plane was preparing for takeoff.

The upset flight attendant then said over the public-address system that it would not be her fault if the plane crashed. She began speaking in incomplete sentences, using the words "bankruptcy" and "American Airlines," passengers said. She also referred to the 9/11 terrorist attacks at one point, passengers said.

Some passengers then began calling 911.

Other flight attendants on the plane attempted to calm the woman, but she continued to be agitated. Three or four passengers then left their seats and went to the front of the plane to help restrain her as the plane returned to the gate, a move requested by the pilot, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

Some passengers said the woman appeared to be having a mental breakdown. One passenger said the flight attendant mentioned that she was bipolar and that she had not taken her medication.

More here: American attendant disrupts flight to Chicago - chicagotribune.com