Police say a passenger refused to follow a flight crew’s instructions as a plane was preparing to depart Denver International Airport on Friday. The captain determined that the man, Thaddeus Rule, 31, was a safety risk and returned the plane to the gate, police said.
When the man refused to get off, police were called to the gate. Rule then attempted to fight off officers, pushing one of them down the stairs at the top of the plane, police said. He also allegedly threw punches at another officer.
The suspect was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries. The police officers involved also were taken to the hospital, but there was no information on the extent of their injuries.
The SkyWest plane, headed to Casper, was delayed for two hours. Airline officials said Rule refused to accept the exit-row responsibilities and refused to get off his cellphone.
