Passengers help flight attendant restrain man on Charlotte flight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Witnesses said a man who was “high as a kite” attacked a fellow passenger on a flight from Denver to Charlotte on Monday, according to court documents.

Augustus James Duncan, 21, is facing a federal assault charge and is currently held in the Mecklenburg County jail.

The incident happened on American Airlines flight 1704. It landed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport at 9:10 p.m. Monday.

A passenger seated near Duncan told an FBI agent that Duncan was “high as a kite” when he boarded the flight.

That passenger also said Duncan hit him in his head with his elbow, an affidavit said. Witnesses told agents they heard a cracking noise when that happened.

Shortly thereafter, a flight attended recruited several people to “surround Duncan as she put him in handcuffs,” according to the affidavit.

Another passenger told the FBI after the flight that at one point, Duncan asked her if she wanted Xanax. Witnesses reported Duncan ordered a triple shot of Jack Daniels during the flight.

The affidavit also said that Duncan flirted with a flight attendant by asking for her number. He also grabbed her leg, the affidavit said.

When law enforcement boarded the flight, Duncan was passed out and taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Main, according to court documents.

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