Man Who Tried to Stab Flight Attendant and Open Plane Door Released After Time Served
A Massachusetts man who attempted to open a plane’s emergency exit mid-flight and stabbed a flight attendant has been released from custody after serving his full sentence. On Tuesday, July 29, a federal judge sentenced 35-year-old Francisco Severo Torres of Leominster, MA, to 26 months in prison—the amount of time he had already served—followed by five years of supervised release.
The charges stem from a violent March 2023 incident aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. Torres was charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, after trying to forcibly open an exit door while the plane was at cruising altitude.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a flight attendant noticed that the emergency door’s locking handle had been moved approximately a quarter of the way toward the unlocked position. Torres had been seen lingering near the door shortly beforehand. When questioned, he reportedly became agitated, loudly asking if there was surveillance footage showing him touching the door.
Moments later, Torres left his seat and approached two flight attendants standing in the aisle. DOJ-reviewed video footage shows him shouting, “I’m taking over this plane,” and threatening to “kill every man on this plane.” He then attacked a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon, stabbing him in the neck three times.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained. Passengers and crew members quickly subdued Torres and restrained him for the duration of the flight. Upon landing in Boston, Torres was immediately arrested.
Court documents indicate Torres has a well-documented history of mental health issues dating back to 2014 and has spent time in psychiatric treatment facilities. Witnesses on the flight said he made bizarre and incoherent remarks, including claiming his father was Dracula.
After more than two years in custody, Torres was officially sentenced to time served. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from boarding any commercial aircraft during his five-year supervised release.
The case has reignited concerns surrounding in-flight safety and the screening of passengers with known mental health challenges. While federal law imposes severe penalties—up to 20 years in prison—for interfering with flight crews, the intersection of aviation security and mental health continues to raise complex questions.
The incident also highlights the importance of crew preparedness and passenger cooperation in managing in-flight emergencies. The prompt and professional response of the United Airlines crew and fellow travelers was instrumental in preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.
While Torres is now under supervision, his release serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by unstable behavior on commercial flights—and the critical role of mental health awareness, robust aviation security measures, and emergency response training in keeping passengers and crew safe.
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