Brits whose antics forced jet's emergency landing plead guilty to flight interference

Officials from the FBI, Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Bangor Police Department responded to the airport. (Courtesy photo)

BANGOR, Maine - Two men from Manchester, England, pleaded guilty Thursday to interference with a flight crew and assault in an incident on a TUI Airways flight that diverted to Bangor International Airport last month.

According to court records, Anthony Joseph James Kirby, 36, and Damien Jake Murphy, 36, were passengers aboard a TUI Airways flight traveling from Cancun, Mexico, to Manchester, England, on Jan. 2. While the flight was in U.S. airspace, the FAA received a report that two passengers had repeatedly interfered with members of the flight crew and flight attendants. After repeated warnings from the captain, the flight diverted to BIA with agents and officers from the FBI, Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Bangor Police Department responding.

An investigation revealed that Kirby and Murphy had become upset after being told they would not be served any more alcohol. The pair then acquired a large bottle of alcohol from their carry-on luggage and continued to drink, becoming increasingly intoxicated. Despite repeated warnings, the two men continued to be belligerent, including using racial slurs. At one point Murphy assaulted a flight attendant, and Kirby assaulted a passenger.

TUI Airways LTD incurred $26,589 in costs and expenses due to the unscheduled landing at BIA.

Kirby and Murphy each face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for the interference charge. For the assault charges, they face up to one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. The men will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.