Actor Selma Blair issued assault summons after flight incident

US actor Selma Blair was arrested and issued a summons on assault charges following an incident on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York. The New York Port Authority police responded to a call on Sunday about a physically abusive passenger on Delta Airlines Flight 938, which landed at John F Kennedy International Airport around 23:00 local time. According to the New York Port Authority, two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to a hospital. Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News included the pilot calling for medical personnel and citing a bloody nose and bite marks, while the flight crew reportedly restrained Blair on the plane.

Legal Proceedings and Medical Response

Following the plane's arrival, Blair was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. A video clip of her arraignment hearing in Queens on Monday showed she was accused of kicking a police officer during her arrest and kicking a nurse at the hospital. A federal law enforcement source told the BBC that Blair was issued a summons for an assault charge within US maritime and territorial jurisdiction and must appear at the petty violation court in Brooklyn, with no date set yet.

Defence and Airline Statement

A representative for the 54-year-old actor stated that she suffered a medical emergency during the flight that led to the alleged conduct. Her publicist noted that she received immediate medical attention upon landing and is currently in stable condition. Delta Air Lines stated that law enforcement met the flight upon arrival with no operational impact, adding that the airline has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behaviour since the safety of customers and crew comes first.

Context

Incidents involving unruly passengers on commercial flights can trigger both local criminal charges and federal investigations by agencies like the FBI depending on the jurisdiction. Airlines maintain strict zero-tolerance policies for passenger altercations to ensure cabin safety for all travellers. Medical emergencies during air travel can sometimes involve unexpected reactions, though legal accountability for physical altercations during a flight remains a serious matter for federal and local authorities.