NEWARK— A Belgian passenger who groped a female flight attendant and then tried to storm the cockpit on a SWISS International Air Lines (LX) flight has been sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $73,000 in restitution.
The assault took place aboard SWISS (LX) flight LX19 shortly after departure from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) bound for Zurich Airport (ZRH), forcing the pilots to declare an emergency and divert back to Newark.
Court Hands Down Sentence for Mid-Air Assault
Jan Daeninck, a Belgian national, received the 10-month custodial term along with one year of supervised release following his sentencing hearing. The court also ordered him to pay $73,000 in restitution to cover the harm caused during the incident.
The penalty followed a plea deal. Daeninck was originally charged with interfering with flight crew members around six months after the event, after an FBI investigation.
That charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assaulting a flight attendant, which carries a maximum sentence of one year, PYOK reported.
How the Incident Unfolded on Flight LX19
The attack occurred on March 31, 2024, while the Airbus A330 was still in its initial climb after takeoff. The aircraft carried 236 passengers and 13 crew members, all of whom remained seated as the seatbelt signs stayed switched on.
According to prosecutors, Daeninck ignored the seatbelt signs and rose from his seat. He approached a female flight attendant, grabbed both of her breasts, then shook her and screamed in her face.
The flight attendant broke free from his grip. At that point, Daeninck sprinted toward the cockpit and tried to force his way through the flight deck door, repeatedly kicking and punching the bulletproof barrier.
Crew Members Injured While Restraining Suspect
A second flight attendant moved to stop Daeninck but was attacked immediately. The suspect punched and kicked the crew member in the face and abdomen before other flight attendants rushed in and pulled Daeninck off him.
As the crew worked to restrain him, Daeninck tried to bite them repeatedly while threatening to kill them. The pilots diverted back to Newark as flight attendants pinned him to the floor of the galley near the cockpit door.
Police took Daeninck into custody on arrival. The male flight attendant was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained during the assault.
Authorities Stress Zero Tolerance
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer addressed the case after the sentencing. He stated that the defendant’s actions threatened the safety and security of innocent passengers, crew members, and the flight itself.
Frazer added that violence against flight crew members and attempts to compromise aircraft security will not be tolerated. He said the sentence shows that those who jeopardize flight safety will face serious consequences, including prison time.
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