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Written by: A. Smith
Published March 12, 2025 @ 9:51 AM ET
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – A regional flight bound for Miami was forced to return to Savannah on Monday night after a passenger violently attacked two flight attendants, kicked a fellow traveler’s seat, and swallowed rosary beads, according to federal court records.
The incident occurred aboard American Eagle Flight 4162, operated by Envoy Air, which had eight passengers and five crew members on board. Court filings state that shortly after takeoff, flight attendants noticed a passenger, identified as Delange Augustin, exhibiting what appeared to be a seizure-like episode involving “stomping, incoherent yelling, and shaking.”
When a flight attendant approached Augustin, he turned and forcefully kicked the crew member in the chest, sending them across the aisle and into a window. The impact left the attendant in pain and struggling to breathe. Augustin then began kicking and punching the seat in front of him, ultimately causing its back to collapse after the passenger seated there moved.
Pilots, alerted to the commotion, decided to return to Savannah. During the descent, Augustin continued to act erratically. However, he briefly calmed down upon learning the plane was turning back. But just before the aircraft’s door was opened after landing, he rushed toward the front and attacked a second flight attendant. Three passengers intervened and restrained him until airport police arrived.
Augustin was taken to a hospital for evaluation due to his ingestion of rosary beads before being booked into the Chatham County Detention Center.
According to an affidavit filed Tuesday by FBI Agent Savannah Solomon, Augustin’s sister told authorities that her brother had warned her to “close her eyes and pray” before the violent outburst, claiming that “Satan’s disciples had followed them onto the plane.” She stated they were traveling to Haiti “to flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature” and that Augustin swallowed the rosary beads because they were a “weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare.” She also asserted that her brother did not suffer from mental health or medical issues.
Augustin faces federal charges of interfering with a flight crew, as well as state charges of misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor obstruction of police, and felony criminal property damage.
A spokesperson for American Airlines, the parent company of Envoy Air, confirmed the incident, stating: “On March 10, American Eagle Flight 4162, operated by Envoy, with service from Savannah (SAV) to Miami (MIA) returned to SAV due to a disruptive passenger. Safety and security are our top priorities. We appreciate the professionalism of the entire crew and thank our passengers for their understanding.”
Federal court records did not list an attorney for Augustin.