Drunk passenger's mid‑flight urination forces emergency landing

A highly unusual incident occurred on a flight from Chicago to Manchester. A 25-year-old passenger ignored flight attendants' instructions and, in an act of defiance, urinated on the plane. He now faces prison time and a hefty fine.

Air travel doesn’t always go smoothly. Turbulence, delayed flights, annoying passengers, and motion sickness are common issues. However, our compatriot from Oregon broke all the norms of civilized society. The man exposed himself and started urinating because the flight attendant asked him to wait to use the restroom until the seatbelt sign was turned off.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The man was supposed to be traveling from Chicago to Manchester, New Hampshire. However, his behavior forced the crew to make an emergency landing in Buffalo. In a press statement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York said, "Neil McCarthy, 25, of Oregon, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with indecent exposure, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine... The aircraft was diverted from the original destination of Manchester, New Hampshire, to Buffalo. When the flight landed, an officer boarded the airplane and spoke to a flight attendant, who said that McCarthy had exposed himself and urinated on the flight. McCarthy was taken into custody and escorted off the plane."

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York added, “Police were called to Gate 2 at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, to respond to a report made by an American Airlines flight that a man exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the aircraft while the plane was in flight.”

Detained 25-year-old Neil McCarthy explained that he had drunk a few whiskey drinks before boarding his first flight from Portland, Oregon. During a layover in Chicago, he drank even more, which filled his bladder. He also added that he has a problem with urination.

For indecent exposure and urinating on the plane, Neil McCarthy faces a substantial penalty. The man could face up to six months in jail and a $5000 fine.

After the emergency landing in Buffalo, the other passengers continued their journey without significant issues. An American Airlines spokesperson did not say whether the troublesome passenger had been completely banned from the airline. "We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding," the spokesperson added.