January 27, 2010
Man accused of trying to open plane door charged
The Associated PressFederal prosecutors have charged a New York man accused of trying to open a commercial airplane's exterior door during a flight from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Colorado says 33-year-old Gregory Thomas Burns faces charges of interfering with a flight crew. The United Airlines jetliner was diverted Saturday to Denver International Airport.
Authorities released Burns after determining it wasn't a terror attempt. He was arrested Wednesday morning at a Denver hospital after prosecutors filed a complaint.
Prosecutors say Burns had been drinking and told investigators he thought he was on the wrong plane and that he thought it was grounded.
He's expected in federal court Friday for a bail and preliminary hearing.