Texas Man Charged With Attempt To Crash Plane Departing From Baltimore

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- A federal prosecutor says an Austin, Texas, man has been charged with trying to crash a plane by working to open emergency exits while it was in the air.

AirTran Flight 265 safely diverted Monday evening to Memphis with 119 passengers on board. It was on the way from Baltimore to Austin.

U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III says in a news release Randolph B. Robinson, 63, was indicted Wednesday.

He is charged with knowingly and willfully attempting to damage, destroy, disable and wreck an aircraft and with knowingly interfering with the flight crew's duties.

The indictment says Robinson's actions forced flight attendants to physically remove him from the doors.

A spokesman in Stanton's office said he believed Robinson was in custody, but Shelby County online jail records did not list him.

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