Overview

• Francisco Severo Torres, 34, pleaded guilty to interfering with flight crew using a dangerous weapon on a United Airlines flight in March 2023.
• Torres attempted to disarm an emergency exit door midflight but was unable to open it due to cabin pressurization safeguards.
• He attacked a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon, striking the neck area three times, while shouting threats to kill passengers and take over the plane.
• Passengers and crew subdued and restrained Torres until the plane landed safely in Boston, where he was arrested by authorities.
• Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2025, with Torres facing a potential life sentence and recommendations for supervised release and mental health treatment.